Hertford press four-ward

Simon Halfacre returned at the heart of defence, with Ciaran Begg and Greg Page coming in to the forward line. Coach Nick Downer began a three week absence after getting married, Luke Kennedy was on endurance training and Oliver de Roeck made way for Jamie O’Sullivan to step in to an unfamiliar left-back role.

Hertford had the ideal start as Page put the visitors ahead early on, diving to reach Ciaran Begg's through ball, committing everything to the cause to guide the ball around the keeper's left foot, landing awkwardly on what later turned out to be a fractured wrist, putting him out of contention for the rest of the season.

After some further pressure Ian Dunnett doubled the advantage, receiving an infield ball from Jamie O'Sullivan and going on a jinking run into the cicrle before - somewhat fortunately - squeezing a shot under the arm of the sliding goalkeeper.

Darren Norman had two excellent chances to increase the lead before the break. A gfood passing move gave him room to shoot from the left of the circle, but he snatched at the chance, pulling it to the left of the goal, and then when through one-on-one in attempting to round the goalie, he managed to leave the ball behind him on a sticky pitch, so the half time score remained 0-2.

Luton responded in the second period, keeping the ball for longer periods and putting Hertford on the back foot. After a good spell of pressure the hosts reduced the deficit. Their danger man dribbling in from Hertford's left, being given too much room by the defence, and unleashing a reverse stick strike that hit the back of the net before Max Capaldi could react.

This served as a wake-up call. Hertford sprang into action, scoring almost from the restart. Attacking down the right, Hertford utilised an advantage from the umpire, capitalising on Luton's hesitation. Dunnett slid a pass to Norman on the penalty spot whose effort was well saved, but the rebound fell to Archie Akers on the back post. As Akers tried to force the ball over the line a Luton defender could only get enough of a stick on the ball to divert it into the path of Alec Short to finish from close range for his fourth of the season.

Norman eventually got his goal to seal the tie. O'Sullivan the provider again as he was given too much space to pick his pass to Norman from the left flank, who used his pace to beat the last defender, and this time took the ball with him around the on-rushing keeper to calmly finish on the reverse stick from the left post.

Luton weren't done however and kept things competitive in the closing minutes as they registered a second when a speculative ball into the D could only be deflected by O'Sullivan. The Luton attacker finishing well, swiping the ball out of the air and on to the backboard.

Hertford held on to secure the three points with some territorial play. The win keeps Hertford in second place, now only one point off top spot, with three games to play. A win against sixth placed Winchmore Hill & Enfield at home this weekend would leave them needing only two points from their final two games to be sure of promotion.

Hertford: Max Capaldi; Elliot Barling, Simon Halfacre, Ben Tootell, Jamie O’Sullivan; Ian Dunnett, Michael Branford, James Rollins; Greg Page, Ciaran Begg, Archie Akers. Subs: Alec Short, Darren Norman.