Harrow Borough 1

Hitchin Town 1

A goal 20 seconds from time denied mid-table Boro victory as Hitchin Town got a lifeline in their fight against relegation from the Ryman League's Premier Division.

Harrow manager Alan Paris had a shake-up following the 5-0 home drubbing from Dagenham & Redbridge in midweek.

Out went Chris Green, Gary Issott, Steve McGarrell and the suspended Kenny Webster. In came new signing Paul Adolphe, from Dagenham, Johnny Kumah, Justin Lord, and Darren Coleman, the latter returning from injury to take over as captain.

Boro began impressively, in charge for all but a brief spell, in the first half.

With Nko Ekoku again launching himself into a series of runs down the wing, he inspired moves that saw Lord have a shot deflected, Xavier's cross shot cleared and Bates head narrowly wide. James and Xavier then had long-range attempts saved.

James threatened again on the half-hour, beating four opponents in a brilliant burst, before having his 25-yard drive deflected wide.

From Ekoku's corner, Pat Gavin's firm header was touched over by keeper Palfreyman.

Hitchin had produced little in reply, with Hall having his shot blocked by Kumah, who was then struck by the swinging arm of striker Williams, fortunate to be only cautioned by the unsighted referee.

At last, the overwhelming pressure told, with Harrow taking a 38th minute lead.

Xavier spun on the ball on the edge of the area before turning to send an angled shot through Palfreyman's legs for his 23rd goal of the season.

After half-time, the pendulum began to swing the other way, and Boro looked increasingly in need of another goal.

Border headed wide when well placed, and when Williams had a free shot at goal, the good positioning of keeper Noel Imber denied him the equaliser.

After saving well from Abbey's header, Imber easily held a pathetic shot from the same player, and Hall's poor attempt was wide. The swing in the balance of play was that marked -- every good chance seemed to fall to the visitors whose need, admittedly, was far greater.

Yet Boro should have put charity behind them -- certainly in the 82nd minute when Gavin's pass allowed Xavier a clear shot at goal, but the diving keeper was able to parry the ball away.

Back came Hitchin, foiled when James blocked a shot in a goalmouth scramble, then Burke sent a free header wide.

Still the message went unheeded, and in the third minute of stoppage time, Hitchin snatched the equaliser their second half endeavour had merited.

Hall's cross tempted Imber off his line, and the keeper mispunched only as far as the unmarked Williams who lashed into the empty net.

HARROW BOROUGH: Imber, Kumah, James, Coleman, Gorman, Lord, Adolphe, Ekoku (McGarrell), Gavin, Xavier, Bates. Subs: Rutherford, Jones.

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