Hendon secured their Ryman League Premier Division safety with a 3-1 victory over Horsham at Vale Farm, Wembley FC, on Tuesday evening. It means that Saturday's game at home to Carshalton, for the Greens at least, will be the first for two years without pressure.

James Burgess, Craig Vargas and Kevin Maclaren returned to the starting line-up, the last named having missed the last two matches whilst serving a suspension, with Brian Haule, Marc Leach and James Bent dropping to the bench and Casey Maclaren dropping out of the 16 named at Hastings.

For 43 minutes, there really was only one team competing and Horsham - even if they didn't create too many clear-cut openings - were more than good value for their one-goal lead. Hendon's only effort on target in that period was a seventh-minute shot from Glenn Garner, which Rob Tolfrey saved at full stretch.

Garner and Jamie Busby had other shots, but they were off target. But the team, in general, looked very tired and seemed bereft of ideas. Even without skipper Sam Page, the Horsham defence looked solid and untroubled with Tony Acheampong looking very secure.

In attack, the Hornets often looked dangerous as the Hendon rearguard was forced into a number of desperation challenges, all of which it must be said, were effected very well. Without having to make many saves, William Viner was nonetheless kept very busy and a couple of crucial interventions at full stretch diverted dangerous crosses away from waiting light blue shirts.

The other area in which Horsham looked better was in energy and this was summed up perfectly for the Horsham goal, after 25 minutes. A hopeful ball down the inside right channel looked likely to roll out for a goal kick.

Darren Budd, however, had other ideas and his sprint reached the ball just before it crossed the goalline. He passed the ball diagonally out to the right wing, where Tony Nwachuku had found space. Nwachuku crossed the ball with his left foot, much to the surprise of his manager John Maggs, but it picked out Steve Davies, who placed his header neatly just inside Viner's near post.

Everything changed in the 43rd minute. Hendon had wasted three free-kicks and a couple of corners - they either went straight out of play or were easily dealt with by a Horsham player. This time however the dead ball was put into the danger area and Garner made enough of a nuisance of himself to force Tolfrey to lose the ball.

Many referees would have penalised the Hendon striker, though he did little more than manoeuvre himself into a position whereby the goalkeeper would be inconvenienced in collecting the ball. This time, however, the referee let play continue and Tolfrey's attempt to regain possession was only successful after he had illegally manhandled Garner.

This occurred outside of the referee's line of sight, but not that of his assistant, who immediately flagged vigorously before placing it across his chest to signal a penalty. A couple of defenders questioned the decision until the incident was explained to them.

In recent matches, Busby's penalties have fallen into two categories: thumped imperiously into the net with the goalkeeper helpless; or stroked carefully, sometimes giving the custodian the chance to make a save. Busby's spot-kick on this occasion was in the former style and Tolfrey didn't stand a chance.

Having played so poorly and with such little direction, it was an injustice that Hendon had the luxury of going back to the dressing rooms all square. Whether it was the confidence of having received the late lifeline or the half-time team-talk from the management team, it was a different Hendon team in the second half.

They dominated for most of the 45 minutes and, in the end, were probably good value for their victory. It took just eight minutes of the second half for the Greens to take the lead.

A free-kick was awarded 35 yards out in a central position. Tolfrey had a two-man wall to block the kick, which Garner struck. The young striker - who had barely been able to walk after limping out of Saturday's game - struck a perfect shot. It dipped and swerved, bouncing just in front of Tolfrey.

The goalkeeper was able to parry the shot, but not hold it and the ball rolled out to the edge of the six-yard box. Peter Dean tried to smack home the rebound, but it was blocked. In stepped Busby and he lashed the ball into the net with vicious power.

Having taken the lead, the confidence was surging through the Hendon team. Harry Hunt had a couple of chances to extend the lead, rolling the ball wide of the target when clean through after 83 minutes was a bad miss and Dean and James Bent - who had replaced Garner - both forced saves from Tolfrey. In addition a cross from Sam Collins bounced on the top of the crossbar with the goalkeeper out of position.

Horsham were limited to rare raids, mainly on the counter-attack, but Burgess, Vargas, James Parker and Kirby were rarely stretched, the return of Kevin Maclaren giving extra solidity and protection in front of Viner.

Needing one point to secure their team's safety, Hendon fans were beginning to celebrate as the match moved into stoppage time. Their support got spectacular reward in the second of the five added minutes.

Haule had replaced Dean and jumped for a ball with Acheampong, a contest the defender won with a defensive header ten yards outside the penalty area. Maclaren ran onto the loose ball and fired a pile-driver that soared into the roof of the net. His first goal for the club, the younger Maclaren will have to produce something very, very special to emulate or improve on that effort.

Horsham boss John Maggs - like Hendon manager Gary McCann - a former goalkeeper - said, "I have to put the first two goals down to my goalkeeper. Although it was not an easy save for the second goal, he should have done better with the rebound. We were much the better team in the first half, but Hendon dominated after that."

McCann said, "Job done. I am so proud of the players, given the circumstances we have been through. They players have come through with flying colours. I think, with everything that has gone on, this is the best job the players have done since I have been here. If we win on Saturday, we will finish just 11 points off the playoffs."

(Report By David Ballheimer - not to be reproduced in any form without the author's agreement)