HARTLEY Wintney stayed top of the Combined Counties League despite suffering their first defeat of the season as they lost 3-2 at home to Bedfont and Feltham.

The Row will look to bounce back to winning ways tomorrow evening when they travel to Ringwood in the first round of the Hampshire Senior Cup.

The reward for the winners is a home tie against holders Havant and Waterlooville.

In Saturday's league encounter Hartley started strongly and took the lead on four minutes against Bedfont.

A right wing corner saw a melee in front of the visitors goal.

Steve Noakes forced the ball just over the line despite a brave effort to save from Triston Thomas in the visitor's goal.

Thomas was forced into action again on 12 minutes when he did well to push a Sam Argent shot onto the post and away.

Then 10 minutes later, Dean Stow took a good cross field pass from Shane Hollomby in his stride but shot just past the post from 18 yards.

On 26 minutes a precise pass from Stow sent Sam Argent into the penalty area but Thomas pulled off a good save. Hartley increased their lead on 34 minutes when Shane Hollomby dropped a lob over the visitors defence. Argent reacted quickest and swept the ball into the net.

Two minutes later, Bedfont and Feltham pulled a goal back. Hicham Abdella made good progress down the left and his cross was fired low into the net by Rachid Obbadi.

On 40 minutes, a good free-kick from Ian Jones was met well by Argent and his header brought a good save from Thomas.

A minute late a mix up in dealing with a long ball down field between Hartley goalkeeeper Craig Bradshaw and Liam Eagle saw the ball go just past the post.

Hartley had the first effort in the second half on 50 minutes when a long free-kick from Bradshaw saw Eagle’s header well saved .

As the visitors gained a stranglehold on midfield and on 65 minutes were unlucky when a good shot from 18 yards by Rashid Obbadi hit the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Stow tried a lob from 30 yards which caught off Thomas off his line, but the ball went just over.

On 72 minutes, the pressure from the visitors was rewarded when Abdella cut in from the left and fired a low shot past Bradshaw for the equaliser.

Substitute Steven Duff made good progress down the left for Hartley and his cross found Zac Horkan who shot wide. A minute later Hartley had the ball in the net through Argent following a cross from Hollomby. However the goal was ruled out for offside.

On 83 minutes a good cross from Jones found Duff with a clear chance, but his shot went over the bar.

A minute later, Adam New was unable to clear his lines in the Hartley penalty box and was relieved to see Michael Campbell shot just past the post.

On 86 minutes Hartley had a free kick on the edge of the penalty box. Stow struck the kick well but the ball went narrowly over the bar.

In the last minute of normal time Steven Duff created a chance but his shot brought an excellent near post save from Thomas.

During added time Hartley pressed for a winner but a quick break gave Bedfont and Feltham a two man advantage.

Stow managed to get back to prevent Michael Campbell a clear scoring opportunity by bringing him down in the penalty box.

Campbell stepped up and scored with a low spot kick to give Bedfont and Feltham their first points of the season.

On Wednesday night, Hartley made it three wins on the trot as they won 2-1 at Colliers Wood.

The Row had to thank goalkeeper Bradshaw to still be level in the first 45 minutes as the home side had four good chances.

Hartley then took the lead as Argent headed in at the back post following a pin point Steve Duff cross in the dying moments of the half.

However, Argent netted the visitor's second goal as a cross found its way into the box, Argent swivelled and smashed the ball into the top corner on the half volley.

Colliers did pull a goal back with 10 minutes to play, but Hartley managed to see out the game.