At Northwood, Hendon welcomed back Dale Binns and Ross Pickett following training niggles as well as a fourth triallist goalkeeper. René Street, against his former club, was made captain and he received a warm welcome from the home fans.

Binns almost gave Hendon the best of starts when he latched onto a through ball in the opening. Goalkeeper Paul Riordan was very alert and came off his line quickly and smothered the ball before Binns could fire in a shot.

In the 23rd minute, Marvyn Watson did well down the right wing and delivered a teasing cross which Pickett headed over the crossbar when he should really have at least hit the target. Northwood were the better team in the first half, but it took them until the 35th minute to take the lead. Ryan ASHE fired in a powerful shot which John was unable to much about.

One player who did stand out for the Greens in the first half was midfielder Jon-Barrie Bates. The former Harrow and Wembley player made a number of telling interventions. At half time both teams made a number of changes and it was Hendon who benefited from the alterations. A couple of half chances went begging before the Greens bagged an equaliser.

Ricci CRACE, who had replaced Binns at the interval, against displayed his great pace to get clear of the Northwood defence and he fired a fine shot past Riordan. In the 67th minute, Hendon were distinctly unlucky not to take the lead. Simon Clarke delivered an inswinging corner, Gary Fitzgerald rose highest and crashed a header against the crossbar. Northwood's defence stopped, expecting the ball to go out of play, but it didn't and Street sent another header against the bar. This time the Woods were able to clear the danger.

In the last minute, Hendon failed to clear the ball and when it fell to the prolific Steve HALE, Northwood's top scorer buried the chance with a powerful drive.