North Greenford United 3-1 Hanwell

Two late goals saw North Greenford keep their slim survival hopes alive last night while effectively ending neighbours Hanwell's playoff hopes.

Gerard Flanagan and Bradley Morris both struck in the last eight minutes to keep all the points at Berkeley Fields, this after Town substitute Lewis Ochoa's penalty had cancelled out skipper Yannis Ambroisine's early strike for United.

It marked the third time this season the Southern Central Division's basement boys had claimed bragging rights over their Ealing neighbours.

And the roars from the dressing room which greeted the triumph suggested the hosts, still nine points shy of safety with seven games to go have the will and spirit at least to scrap until the bitter end in their quest for a great escape.

Their mood was in marked contrast to Town who were left to reflect on poor marking at three set pieces which had left their dreams of promotion in tatters.

United were on the front foot from the off with barely a minute played when Charlie Mitchell escaped down the right and crossed to the far post where Alexander Eneg could only clip the ball into Town keeper Alex Tokarczyk's grateful grasp.

Just four minutes later United were in front when Ambroisine rose highest to meet a driven corner from the right. His powerful header struck the post before Tokarczyk grabbed the ball only for the assistant's flag to signal it had already crossed the line.

Town's keeper was soon sprinting outside his box to head clear from a marauding Anton Robinson as the host's early dominance continued.

Jack Hutchinson did fire over at the other end, but Robinson was soon causing problems once more racing clear to unleash a fierce drive well parried by Tokarczyk - Eneg snatched at a follow-up effort which he got horribly wrong, the ball going out for a throw.

The visitors were yet to test Cristian Pal who had twice shakily kicked clear and even when Bill Healey did register their first shot on target following good work from Tom O'Regan, the shot was straight at United's keeper.

Town did though control the rest of the half with Hutchinson firing narrowly off target before Pal flapped at a high ball in from the wide, the ball dropping to O' Regan on the edge of the box, who cracked a screamer just wide with the keeper stranded.

Town boss Ray Duffy made a double swap early in the second half in an attempt to gain momentum, Hutchinson and Ian Bywater making way for George Davis and Lewis Ochoa.

However, for all their possession they produced little threat until Tom Duffy's header from a 68th minute free-kick hit a North Greenford hand allowing Ochoa to level matters from the spot.

With a point of little use to either side another goal always seemed likely and it was United who found the late impetus, aided and abetted by some woeful Hanwell defending.

Eight minutes remained when a corner from the left was allowed to travel all the way across the box and Flanagan ended the game of pinball which followed by stabbing the ball home from just a few yards out.

Still Hanwell did not learn their lesson and suffered a case of 'Groundhog Day' in stoppage time when another corner from the left saw the Blues get the first touch at the near post. Another scramble ensued and this time it was substitute Morris who pounced on the loose ball to thump it home.

More miracles will be needed by United, but confirming themselves kings of Ealing was at least a start.