ALL the action in this fixture between in form Hartley Wintney and visiting luckless bottom markers Arlesley Town took place in the second period, as the home side in the end ran out 4-1 winners.

In a very poor first half it was Hartley who were generally on top but without having a creative edge.

On three minutes Jack French won the ball in midfield and his shot from 20 yards went just over the bar.

Around the 15 minute mark the Row applied some pressure, but the nearest they came to a goal was when man of the match Ty Smith’s effort went wide.

On 28 minutes some notable action arrived. Hartley were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards from goal after a run by Jayden Englefield was halted by a desperate challenge.

Dean Stow the Row skipper’s shot brought out a good save from visitors goalkeeper Dion Gibbs.

The visitors first effort of note arrived on the stroke of half time. Danny Nickels-Benson and Taylor Rhiney combined well and the latter’s shot went just over the bar.

It was the visitors who had the first chance after the break on 51 minutes when Taylor Rhiney created space and seen his shot go wide.

The Row had a glorious chance to go ahead on 55 minutes when Declan Shuttleworth and Jack French combined to set up Jake Baxter.

The striker made a poor connection when well placed.

A minute later, it was the visitors who took the lead.

Taylor Rhiney made good progress down the left and his inswing cross was touched into the net at the back post by Billy Lannon.

Hartley were quick to respond and three minutes later pulled level.

Two minutes after coming on as sub Paul Hodges went on a run from midfield and his low shot from 20 yards found the corner of the net.

On 62 minutes, Liam Eagle flicked on a set piece to Jake Baxter who shot wide.

Three minutes later a long throw from Adam Everiss found Stow who shot over.

The Row applied the pressure and the Blues had to be thankful for three splendid saves in quick succession from their goalkeeper Dion Gibbs to keep them on par.

First Gibbs made a smart save from Paul Hodges who was coming in from the right. He was then well placed to push over a fierce drive from Jack French.

Then finally he saved point black from a header by Jack Ball.

Hartley finally got the breakthrough on 71 minutes, when a left wing corner was not properly cleared by the visitors defence.

Paul Hodges took full advantage to fire into the net from 12 yards.

On 78 minutes, a Stow free-kick from 25 yards went just past the post.

On 81 minutes, after considerable pressure the Row added a third.

Paul Hodges controlled a pass into the penalty box well and set up Adam Everiss who scored with a shot from the edge of penalty box.

Three minutes later Hartley added a fourth.

After a flowing move through midfield; Jake Baxter intelligently set up Jack French who scored with a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty box. (4-1) On 87 minutes, a Stow cross found Hodges whose flick went over the bar.

The remaining minutes saw an amazing exhibition of goalkeeping from Dion Gibbs in the visitors goal to keep the score line in respectable proportions.

First he made a smart save from Hodges who was set up by Stow.

Then in added time he saved point blank from Jake Baxter who was set up by Paul Hodges. However the best was left to last, when he somehow managed to save a powerful free kick from Smith.

After the game joint manger Dan Brownlie said: “This was definitely a game of two halves. In the first half there seemed to a lack of quality in the final third of the pitch and also a lack of urgency.

“The big positive is we did not panic when we went behind. Paul Hodges coming on changed the game.”

Fellow boss Anthony Millerick said: “It is important to keep on winning games and keeping in the right mentality to achieve it.

“Although it was not pretty at times we would have taken a 4-1 score line at the start of play. Arleley games have been becoming tighter and they have been losing recently by just the odd goal.

He added: “From this match we must focus on the positives and the way we responded to losing the goal. We will improve on what we see as the negatives'

“Our squad is strong and we have good options on our players to compete against either physical and/or skilful teams.”

The latest victory moved Hartley up to fourth and on Tuesday night they are at home gain with Marlow the visitors this time.