Hendon let a two-goal lead slip away inside the final 16 minutes on Saturday as they travelled to The Memorial Playing Fields in Berkshire to take on 16th-placed Hartley Wintney.

The Dons started the game well, applying pressure to the Hartley goal in the opening stages. Nathan Brathwaite picked up the ball on the angle and dragged an effort just wide inside 13 minutes, after several good blocks from the Hartley defence.

The opening half-hour was largely scrappy and far from a classic, with neither side quite at their best. The pitch was not in the greatest condition, making it difficult for either side to put their foot on the ball and play their usual football.

The scrappy nature of the game continued, but this time in Hendon’s favour. Tyler Notley spotted the opportunity to launch one of his trademark long throws into the area, with Isaac Stones finding space inside the six-yard box. The ball struck STONES’ knee and found its way into the back of the net, putting the Dons 1-0 up in the 31st minute.

Chances remained few and far between for the remainder of the first half. Hartley goalkeeper Liam Beach made two excellent saves to deny Radu Stefanoaica and Reece Nicholas-Davies, while Josh Strizovic was also called into action at the other end, comfortably saving from Joe Lewis-Evans.

Half-time: Hartley Wintney 0-1 Hendon.

The home side started the second half brightly, finding the back of the net just three minutes after the restart, although the effort was ruled out for offside. Their pressure continued for around ten minutes, with Strizovic producing an excellent save to deny an improvised effort from midfielder Sid Gbla.

Hendon eventually weathered the pressure and upped the ante. On the hour mark, STEFANOAICA found space inside the area following another long throw and, as he has done so often already this season, finished brilliantly to double Hendon’s advantage and give the Greens a healthy two-goal lead going into the final half-hour.

Shortly after Stefanoaica’s strike, Hartley regained control. Lewis-Jones dragged an effort just wide before the ball was crossed into the area following a dismissed Hendon appeal for a foul. Danilo PEREIRA made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball past Strizovic to halve the deficit and make it 2-1, setting up a nervy final 14 minutes for the Dons.

It would get worse for Hendon just moments later. Hartley drove forward with renewed intent, winning both the first and second balls before the ball eventually fell to defender Joe DYETT, who stabbed home the equaliser.

It was a complete capitulation from Hendon inside four minutes, surrendering a two-goal lead that they had worked hard to establish throughout the afternoon.