RYMAN PREMIER LEAGUE
Harrow 0 Lewes  2

HARROW Borough must sweat on their Ryman Premier League safety for a little longer after their most wretched performance of the season on Saturday.

Dave Anderson’s side welcomed fellow strugglers Lewes knowing a win would clinch survival for another year, but all too familiar failings surfaced as they sunk to an almost predictable defeat.

Borough’s record against their fellow strugglers this year has been woeful.

Prior to Saturday’s action the men of Earlsmead had lost to Thurrock and Carshalton when those sides were bottom, Hastings when they were one off the bottom and Wingate & Finchley twice who are also down among the dead men.

Sadly hopes this clash with the Rooks would be different were soon dispelled as Borough produced a display to rival any of the above, hardly mustering a shot on target in the 90 minutes and conceding two sloppy goals.

In mitigation they were without defensive stalwart Danny Leech and Shaun Lucien limped off in the first half, but this was a dreadful performance.

Mark Osborn, on dual registration from Hemel Hempstead was drafted in on goalkeeping duties for Borough after Crystal Palace trainee David Gregory was ruled out having played for his parent club the previous evening against Newcastle.

James Regis replaced Leech (knee) at the heart of the defence, while club skipper Rob Wolleaston came in for Saheed Sankoh who dropped to the bench.

Osborn was saved some early action when Harry Harding fired over from a promising position inside two minutes.

Borough’s first chance came on 10 minutes when Paul Olima rose highest to power Gary Jones’ free-kick just the wrong side of the post.

Wolleaston saw another shot deflected behind just past the midway point of the half, but it was largely turgid fare at this stage.

The breakthrough came out of the blue three minutes from the break when the usually reliable Michael Peacock misjudged a long punt forward and his header back fell short allowing Nathan Crabb to lob the ball over the stranded Osborn.

The goal was the cue for a substitution with Lucien, struggling with a knock since the early minutes replaced by Jordan Lawal.

There was no improvement after the break and the Rooks were 2-0 up on 54 minutes. James Regis tried to screen a ball out of play but handled under pressure from Godrey.

Harry Harding’s free-kick found Steve Brinkhurst unmarked at the far post and when he headed back across Crabb headed his second of the game despite the efforts of two on the line to clear.

To make matters worse Williams then limped off injured to be replaced by Michael Barima.

Jones finally forced a save from Kieron Thorp on 58 minutes and 60 seconds later Peacock’s through-ball found Akinola whose shot beat the keeper but went the wrong side of the post.

Borough should have had a lifeline on 88 minutes when Sankoh was pulled back in the box, but referee Forrest gave a free-kick on the edge.

Jones’ effort was deflected over and the corner cleared as a dismal defeat was confirmed.