PREMIER DIVISION Langford 1 Harefield United 1

A goal from Danny Buckle stopped the rot of back to back defeats as Harefield United drew 1-1 at one of their nearest challengers Langford.

The Hares took control early on with Joe Kelly and Adam Willis providing plenty of width to stretch the Langford defence yet the final pass was never decisive and shooting chances were at a premium.

One notable exception was in the 11th minute when a cross from Kelly found Buckle and, with help from a defender's leg he made it 1-0 to the league leaders.

The goal sparked Langford into life and they began to look dangerous on the break, keeping Hares keeper Charlie Miller on his toes especially when a poor pass back led to Miller making a desperate lunge which upended Ron Groves, who picked himself up to score a 27th minute equaliser from the spot.

Langford were enjoying plenty of success down the Hares' left but good goal-keeping kept them out while the hosts looked very uncomfortable at the back but Harefield failed to take advantage.

Too often it was a case of too much build up and not enough shots although they should have grabbed a second goal on 38 minutes when only desperate defending and poor finishing meant a host of chances finding legs and bodies among a goalmouth scramble.

Both sides went for the winner in an end to end second half during which the Hares had the best of the play but again they seemed like they were trying to walk the ball into the net. They were also left frustrated by keeper Steve Young who made the best save of the day to claw Kelly's shot out of the top corner.

Langford threatened with quick breaks but Tom Kirk, Luke Eldridge and Gary Williams defended well and the pattern continued of Hares failing in the final third and then having to withstand the counter attack. The Hares gave it another push in the final 10 minutes but desperate defending meant they had to share the points. Their lead has been trimmed to six points by Broxbourne Borough, although their biggest challenge could yet come from further off the pace from the likes of Leverstock Green, Hanwell, Chal-font and Biggleswade Town, all of whom have at least three games in hand.

HAREFIELD: Miller, Williams, Kirk, Eldridge, Haynes, A Willis, Buckle, Drake, Williamson, Gladdy, Kelly. Subs: Houliston, L Willis, Morris, Brown, Olufemi.

Goals: Langford: Groves 27 (pen). Hares: Buckle 11. Attendance: 92.

* The reserves made it five wins in a row with a 1-0 defeat of Cove, courtesy of a strike by Jordan Haynes.