Barton Rovers 0

Harlow Town 3

(Ryman League

division one)

HARLOW TOWN'S Ryman League division one status was virtually assured on Monday when they won 3-0 at Barton Rovers with one of their best displays of the season.

The Hawks are now six points clear of Leatherhead with two games to go and a point against Bognor Regis Town at the Sportcentre tonight (Wednesday) would guarantee their safety.

Ian Allinson feared the worst after a 1-0 home defeat against Oxford City on Saturday but the Harlow boss was delighted after Monday's win as he returned to his former club: 'It was on a par with the best I've seen from Harlow. There were some excellent individual performances.

'But we were poor against Oxford and we must find a higher level of consistency. We can't afford to relax yet as football has a habit of throwing up surprises and we still need another point.'

John Ridout had a fine game as he returned to the Hawks' midfield, and 19-year-old Leon Ettiene, on loan from Watford, made an assured debut in defence.

Harlow took the lead on 30 minutes when Roy Parkyn's free-kick was headed across goal by Ridout. Marvin Samuel hit the bar with the follow-up and Carl Drew swept in the rebound.

The visitors continued to dominate the midfield after the break while Dave Cook kept the division's top scorer Gordon Guile under wraps.

They went 2-0 up when John Nicholson set Marc Salmon away on the left and his cross was converted at the far post by Samuel.

A flurry of activity around the 70-minute mark saw both teams come close to scoring twice, Darryl Trigg saving well from Neil Yates and Scott Turner and home stopper Brad Gillham keeping out efforts from Salmon and Drew.

Harlow secured their sixth win in eight away games on 82 minutes when Ettiene's pass put Salmon into space again. This time he crossed for Wade Falana to score.

Saturday's game was decided by a goal for Oxford in first-half injury time from Andy Smith. Falana had three opportunities to equalise in the closing stages but could not take advantage.

Harlow play their last league game of the season at Leatherhead on Saturday. Next Wednesday (May 10), Great Wakering Rovers visit the Sportcentre for the East Anglian Cup semi-final.

HARLOW (vs Barton): Trigg, Samuel (sub: Young 82min), Parkyn, Moore, Ettiene, Cook, Nicholson, Ridout, Drew (sub: Howell 77), Falana, Salmon (sub: Kelly 82).