PRIOR to kick off the Hartley Wintney joint managers were once again asked to solve many problems due to a large injury list and several players being unavailable, for their league clash with visiting Chalfont St Peter.

A diminutive Row team took to the field with a not fully 100 per cent fit Adam New the only player over six foot.

The Saints started well but it was Hartley who had the first effort on nine minutes.

Good set up play by Jake Baxter presented a chance to Adam Everiss who fired narrowly over. However, the goal was delayed by just one minute.

Excellent play down the middle saw Steven Duff and Paul Hodges combine. Hodges pass sent Duff clear and on rounding goalkeeper Carl Dennison he was hauled down.

Dennison was perhaps fortunate to stay on the pitch, but the Row went ahead from the resulting penalty from new captain Dean Stow.

Chalfont were winning most of the midfield physical challenges and prompted by dangerous winger Maxwell Holland held a slight edge.

On 24 minutes, Saints’ striker Jake Cass created space for himself on the edge of the box and his strong shot saw Paul Strudley do well to tip over.

On 28 minutes, Hartley could have extended the lead when a long ball from Stow saw Jake Baxter move behind the Chalfont defence, but striker’s effort went straight to Carl Dennison.

On 31 minutes, the Row were very unlucky not to increase their lead. An accurate pass from Jake Baxter gave Paul Hodges a chance and the Hartley forward saw his effort hit the post.

The Saints had the first chance on 51 minutes with a free-kick 20 yards from goal and central.

The Row wall held firm and the ball was cleared. Chalfont held an edge but were unable to make their extra possession count.

On 68 minutes Hartley almost increased their lead when Hodges and Baxter combined well with the latter shooting home.

However, the celebrations were cut short with the assistant referee’s flag calling a marginal offside.

The Row defence held firm without being entirely comfortable. However on 82 minutes the visitors scored the goal their play deserved.

Chalfont decided to opt for a contested dropped ball following an injury stoppage and got a break which enabled an attack down the right.

The ball was fed in to Jake Cass who did well to get to the byline and his low cross was swept in by sub Remmell Clarke.

Hartley responded well and on 87 minutes almost took the lead.

Aaron Parfitt made good progress down the left and good link up play between Hodges and Baxter ended with Josh Webb’s shot grazing the post.

It was the visitors who had the last effort of the day when Cass has a shooting opportunity on the edge of the box but shot over.

Man of the match and a true inspiration to the battling Row team was new team captain Stow playing in a unaccustomed centre back position.

Hartley, who remain second in the Southern League Division One East, will be hoping some of the squad members will have recovered or be available for Tuesday’s trip to Bedford Town.

After he game joint manager Daniel Brownlie said: “We were not at our best today, but with players out it was always going to be difficult. Joe Paris and Adam New played through the match although neither was 100 per cent fit.

“We are always disappointed when we do not win but I suppose in the circumstances today a draw was a reasonable result against a decent Chalfont side.

Brownlie added: “I felt on chances we could have won with Paul Hodges shot hitting the post and Josh Webb’s effort so close near the end. Also the offside goal must have been a marginal decision. Dean Stow played an exceptional game at the back for us.”