HARTLEY Wintney drew their biggest crowd of the season for the local Bank holiday derby against Badshot Lea.

The Row were mindful that despite the Lea’s lowly position their recent form under a new manager has improved.

Also of course they inflicted a shock league defeat on Hartley in last season’s fixture at Green Lane.

Hartley started well and on five minutes the first chance arrived. A long clearance found George Hallahan in the clear with a one on one against former Row keeper Lee Allen. The visitors custodian did well to block Hallahan’s shot.

The goalkeeper did even better on 15 minutes when he managed to push a fierce shot from Steven Duff onto the post and round for a corner.

The home side continued to probe and on 22 minutes took the lead. A long pass from Duff sent Sam Argent clear.

The striker managed to edge the ball past the outrushing Allen and then tap the ball into an empty net.

Two minutes later, the Row almost increased the lead when Argent set up Jack French whose parting shot from the edge of the penalty box went just over the bar.

In another two minutes Argent set up Hallahan and the young striker's shot brought a smart save from Allen.

Badshot Lea’s first effort of note arrived on 29 minutes. A good move ended with Kurt Greenaway heading down into the path of Jamel Batchilly who fired narrowly wide from 18 yards.

On 41 minutes the Row doubled their lead Dean Stow sent a long pass down the left wing to Argent.

The striker managed to get round the defender and from a tight angle the parting shot went into the net via a Lea defender.

Hartley had the first effort in the second half on 51 minutes. Hallahan set up Luke Perkins for a chance and the winger was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post.

Badshot started having a more even share of the play and Hartley’s midfield struggled to get possession. However on 57 minutes good play from Stow on the right wing saw a good cross and Hallahan was unlucky to see his header go narrowly past the post.

The same pair combined on 68 minutes and this time Hallahan’ shot went wide.

Badshot Lea gradually gained control of the midfield and on 70 minutes Matt Stamp set up Greenaway who saw his shot go just past.

The visitors piled on the pressure and a minute later a fierce drive from Stamp some 20 yards out saw Jake Maddock produce a good save tipping the ball over the bar.

From the resulting corner a huge scramble took place in the Hartley box before the Row were able to clear.

At the other end a long throw from Marc Vockins was flicked on by Argent and Hallahan saw his header go past the post.

Badshot Lea pushed forward and on 78 minutes reduced the deficit. Some skilful play by Batchilly on the right saw a cross. Liam Eagle for Hartley was unable to control the ball and Mark Thomas took full advantage firing home from just inside the box.

Two minutes later, Hartley could have increased the lead as Argent sent Stow clear for a one-on-one with goalkeeper Allen and the Lea stopper won the dual.

On 82 minutes Badshot Lea levelled. Some very slack play by Hartley just outside their box saw the ball fed to Greenaway.

His low shot from a tight angle went through a forest of legs and trickled over the line. Maddock pawed the ball out but referee Michael Begley waited for the assistant’s signal that the ball had crossed the line before awarding the goal.

Hartley pressed strongly for the winner but it was the Lea who almost had the last laugh.

Chad Goulter from 40 yards spotted Maddock off his line and his effort went wide of the post much to the relief of the home support.

A game Hartley will want to get over quickly. At one end of the field they missed many chances and at the other gifted the Lea with two late Christmas present goals.

Talking after the draw, Hartley's joint manager Danny Brownlie said: "The first half was good but we still had more to do in the second half, we had more gears to shift through.

"We frustratingly rammed the gear stick into reverse. I'm not sure I can quite explain the second half.

"Despite having enough chances to double our season goal tally, we instead conceded two late and very soft goals. So both ends of the pitch need looking at, it wasn't good enough."

Despite the draw Hartley remain 15 points clear at the top of the Combined Counties League Premier Division and Brownlie said: "It's been a great half of the season and we press the reset button going into 2017. It's our 120th year as a football club and we want to create a season to remember. Hopefully we can start that on January 2nd at home to Farnham.

This game has an 11.30pm kick-off.