HARTLEY Wintney maintained their 12 point lead at the top of the Combined Counties League Premier Division with a hard fought 1-0 win over Guildford City.

Defences remained firmly on top in the first half with City effectively cutting out the supply to the Hartley strikers.

Indeed it was the visitors who held a slight edge and had the only chance of note in the first period.

On 18 minutes Kiye Martin created room for a shot on the edge of the box which Jake Maddock could only parry. Steve Noakes reacted quickest and cleared the loose ball.

Hartley came into the game more after the break.

After 54 minutes, Luke Perkins beat three Guildford defenders in midfield and went on a long run towards the City goal.

His low shot forced a good stop with his foot by goalie Matt Petts.

The Row gained the initiative and on 74 minutes they took the lead.

A long throw from Noakes on the right was headed on by Liam Eagle and Sam Argent was in the right spot to send a powerful header into the net from 12 yards.

On 81 minutes a cross on the right from Steven Duff was headed back across goal by Eagle to Shane Hollomby, who saw his shot blocked by a defender.

There was a flashpoint on 86 minutes. Ross Cook was the victim of a very clumsy challenge in midfield which saw the referee surprisingly did not award a free-kick.

Sensing injustice the Hartley striker launched into a strong challenge on the culprit City player which quickly brought the players on both sides to the spot.

The referee produced a red card for Cook and a yellow card for the Guildford player.

The Row’s ten men held on easily for the remaining four minutes plus six minutes stoppage time to secure a narrow but deserved win.

Joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: "Whilst we were disappointed with our first half performance we did enough in the second to warrant and deserve the victory. The ever reliable Sam Argent finished off a well worked routine that proved to be the eventual winner heading in from close range.

He added: "Tuesday evening's home game is going to be a difficult game. It always is against Hanworth Villa. They're physical, compact and difficult to beat. It's a game we are looking forward to as it's against a side we fully expect to be challenging for honours this season.