Bishop's Stortford 4

Harlow Town 3

(Ryman League division one)

A THRILLING seven-goal derby at Woodside Park on Saturday saw Bishop's Stortford continue their promotion charge witha 4-3 win over Harlow Town.

Striker Vinnie John, who extended his scoring spree with two goals, left the field chanting 'easy', but it was anything but for the Blues who had to pick themselves up after losing a three-goal lead.

They had referee Mr Osborne to thank, at least in part, as he awarded two penalties which were hotly disputed by the visitors.

Stortford boss Martin Hayes said: "We did everything right for the first half hour, then we seemed to push the self-destruct button.

"We gave them chances and they were relieved to go into half-time only a goal down. But we got ourselves going again in the second half and I always felt we would win.

"Micky Desborough had little to do apart from pick the ball out of the net three times, while we had plenty of chances. It's pleasing to beat your local rivals and I'm sure the fans enjoyed the game.

"I didn't think either of the penalties were bad decisions. There was contact on the player both times and any striker will go down in the box if there is contact.

"Hopefully we can keep picking up the points and keep ourselves in touch."

A noisy crowd of 624 saw Stortford take a tenth-minute lead as John teed up Lee Endersby to fire past James Hasell from ten yards.

The home side doubled their lead on 22 minutes when David Grey was adjudged to have tripped John, just inside the box. John converted the penalty himself.

Harlow looked ragged at the back as the Blues made it 3-0 just three minutes later, John heading home from a Gary Kimble free kick.

But the tide turned in the 28th minute when Jon Hooker's curling free kick was deflected into the net by a home defender.

The Hawks were revitalised. They spend the rest of the half on the attack and were rewarded a minute before the break with a brilliant goal from Marc Salmon, who volleyed into the top of the net after a Marvin Samuel corner.

Within seven minutes of the second half the comeback was complete as John Coley's cross was deflected to substitute Andy Purcell who blasted into the bottom corner.

Harlow continued to fight hard though it was Stortford who created the better chances, John missing an open goal after Hasell had saved from Glen Southam.

The decider came on 74 minutes when John went down again in the box and the referee decided he had been tripped by Dave Drury. Kimble made it 4-3.

The Hawks won a series of corners but could not muster another equaliser. Danny Cowley made a fine goal-line clearance late on to deny Trevor Paul.

Coley was sent off in the 87th minute for a second bookable offence and five other players were booked by the card-happy referee.

Stortford are still sixth in the table, nine points behind third place but with games in hand. They visit Staines Town on Saturday.

STORTFORD: Desborough, Risley, Kimble, Taylor, Fannon, Kyriacou, Endersby (sub: Hercules 38min), Southam (sub: Hayes 83), John, Paul, Braham.