Hendon lost ground on leaders Cheshunt when they fell to a narrow and undeserved defeat against them at Theobalds Lane on Saturday afternoon. In a game which saw both teams create plenty of chances, the big difference betweens the sides was the quality of the various attempts, probably the only facet of the game where Cheshunt were superior.

The Greens were, unusually, unchanged from the sixteen who saw duty a week earlier at Bedford and, having enjoyed success with the formation in the two previous games, retained the same style too.

It appeared to be the right decision in the opening quarter, because Hendon were completely on top. The only surprise was that the Greens mustered just a single goal. It arrived after 15 minutes, courtesy of Mark NICHOLLS, who headed home an inch-perfect cross from David Nolan.

Nolan, Danny Julienne and John Frendo all failed to take presentable chances to extend the lead before Cheshunt hit back. Dave King had produced a superb save to deny Darren Grieves in the 19th minute, but was powerless to stop Leon ARCHER, two minutes later, completed a swift counter-attack with a low drive after Nicholls had lost possession ten yards from the Cheshunt box.

The remainder of the first half belonged to Cheshunt and King did well to block efforts from Ross White and Archer before the teams returned to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms.

Both teams gave the sparse crowd excellent entertainment, especially in the second half, when Hendon were again on top, but failed to convert good openings into dangerous attempts on goal. Russell Ling made four saves from goalbound efforts, including a couple of long-range Nicholls free-kicks, but none were in any way taxing.

The closest they came to scoring in this spell of pressure was a madcap 15 seconds when Danny Butler, Frendo and Julienne all had efforts blocked, the last of which came from a desperate hack on the goalline by Steve Magona.

As the game ebbed and flowed, King produced three more top-notch efforts to deny Archer, Grieves and Dean Harding. In the 75th minute, a cross from the left wing was headed by Grieves beyond the far post and ARCHER nipped in front of his marker to score from eight yards.

Throwing caution to the wind, Hendon desperately looked for an equaliser. Ten minutes from time, Usif Bangura and Martin Vrhovski joined James Burgess on the pitch, replacing, Wayne Carter, Frendo and Mark Burgess, respectively, the latter having limped off after 52 minutes. The all-out attack policy left Hendon short at the back and King was again called upon to deny the counter-attacking Ambers.

In the last minute of normal time, Ryan Harris and Dave Reddington collided in the penalty area as they attempted to clear a cross. The ball fell to Nicholls, who was only eight yards from goal. His first touch brought the ball under control; the second was a poor shot that flew a couple of yards wide of the gaping target.

With the game deep into stoppage time, the best and last chance fell to Julienne. He worked himself clear in front of goal with a shot from close to the penalty spot. Unfortunately, he didn't strike the ball cleanly and although the mishit also wrong-footed Ling, the giant goalkeeper had time to regain his balance and claw the ball away from the goalline, inches from the paint.

"To say I am disappointed is an understatement," said a downcast Hendon manager Tony Choules. " I thought we played well today; our passing and movement were good. I believe we were worth at least a draw."