Hartley Wintney came out on top to win 1-0 in a match between two relegation threatened clubs, thanks to a second half goal from Kofi Halliday.

The match against Merthyr Town struggled to produce much incident in the opening half and the considerable number of stoppages by referee Jonathan Bolland meant little fluency in play. Throughout the first half neither goalkeeper was called into action.

On 24 minutes the Row finally put together a decent move down the right and Jordan Edwards cross had the Martyrs defence just managing to scramble clear. Approaching half time an Edwards corner for the Row found Dan Fitchett who shot over the bar. The Martyrs responded and a right wing cross from Adam Davies found Kieran Evans whose low shot went across the face of the goal.

On 51 minutes the Row were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out. Edwards stepped up and his shot beat the wall and crashed off the crossbar. Merthyr responded and had a decent spell of pressure. This ended on 55 minutes when Lewis Powell set up Evans whose effort from the edge of the area skimmed the bar.

Hartley Wintney responded and got the breakthrough on 61 minutes. A ball to the left found Kofi Haliday who sent in a delightful lob over Jaimie Cogman in the Merthyr goal and into the net. (1-0).

Merthyr strove hard to get back into match but we're unable to test Luke Williams in the Row goal. On 68 minutes a good interchange between Ryan Case and Edwards created a chance. The midfielder was unlucky to see his shot blocked. Hartley continued to have an edge and on 77 minutes a free kick from Edwards found Josh Webb who fired over the crossbar.

The last effort of the match came on 82 minutes. Good interplay down the right gave Edwards a chance and he was unlucky to see his effort hit the outside of the post.

An important win for Hartley Wintney who have greatly improved their chances in the relegation scrap to avoid the drop. Results elsewhere has seen them rise one place.