Harrow Borough 2 Hendon 1

Ryman League

Premier Division

Hendon were more than a shade unfortunate to suffer a second league defeat against Harrow Borough at Earlsmead on Tuesday.

The loss of keeper Gary McCann with a serious-looking leg injury after 29 minutes meant that left wing-back Simon Clarke had to take over the jersey, and the Dons' defence was further reshuffled with Matt Howard playing on the left side, Paul Towler on the right, and three more central defenders Warren Kelly, Gary Fitzgerald and Matt Bartholomew at least in their natural positions.

It was especially unfortunate for McCann, who had already missed two significant spells of the season with other unrelated injuries.

At the time McCann went off, the match was very even, with neither side entirely at ease on the slippery surface. Full credit to the Harrow Borough officials for preparing a pitch that was at least playable, given the mid-afternoon deluge.

Clarke was soon in action, racing out of the penalty area to hack the ball clear.

Paul Whitmarsh, making a welcome return folowing a groin operation, played as a lone striker.

Boro started the second half quite brightly and were rewarded after nine minutes when Damien Markman scored with a low drive.

Hendon enjoyed their best spell, and Marvyn Watson got a superb 61st-minute equaliser. Receiving the ball 30 yards out, he raced towards the angle of the box, cut back across towards the middle and danced past three attempted tackles before delivering a delicious chip past keeper Matthew Pollard.

Whitmarsh went off, replaced by Dominic Gentle, seemingly unsuited to the conditions.

This appeared to swing the balance back Boro's way, and they grabbed the winner after 76 minutes when substitute Vladimir Gusavac scored with a neat shot.

Hendon battled hard and Fitzgerald was denied by a magnificent save from Pollard.

HENDON: McCann (Howard, 29); Towler, Bartholomew, Clarke, Daly, Fitzgerald, Haule, Hyatt, Whitmarsh (Gentle, 66), Watson, Kelly.