DIVISION ONE NORTH: Hillingdon Borough 1 Ilford 2

Two goals in three minutes left Hillingdon Borough ruing their missed opportunities as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Ilford.

Midway through the second half the Essex visitors took a decisive lead despite Gerald Kelly pulling a goal back.

The win doubled Ilford's advantage over Boro to six points and Hillingdon are now only above Witham on goal difference after their shock win over North-wood.

Hillingdon enjoyed the bulk of possession in the first half but failed to take advantage of chances created.

Adrian Allen went closest when he rounded the keeper but saw his shot cleared off the line.

Stephen Midega also looked lively on his debut for Boro as he had two shots well saved but Boro, who came into the game with only nine goals from 15 league games, again struggled to find the net.

The second period started as the first ended with both sides creating openings but when home keeper Ben Harris could only parry a vicious cross, Craig Leader was on hand to tap home from close range.

Moments later Chuck Duru created a second for Bradley Drysdale to seal the win despite Kelly giving Boro late hope when he converted a Lucas Williams cross.

Dan Campbell might have grabbed an equaliser but his attempted lob over the stranded keeper flew high and wide.

RYMAN ONE NORTH Witham Town 1 Northwood 0

BOTTOM side Witham Town made Northwood only their second scalp of the season as a solitary goal was enough to see off inconsistent Woods.

The Essex outfit have endured a torrid time but their latest manager Danny Greaves, son of the legendary Jimmy, enjoyed a perfect start to his tenure.

By contrast the defeat marked Colin Payne's last game at Northwood Park as he left the club later that evening.

There were chances at both ends early on even before Witham scored their 11th minute opener in somewhat fortunate circumstances, as Darren Hawes' free kick ricocheted off the Northwood wall and left Mitch Swain stranded.

Northwood enjoyed plenty of possession for the remainder of the half and they pushed the hosts on to the back foot.

Michael Gordon's free kick looped off the wall and Anthony Page headed the loose ball over the bar, Richard Orlu flashed a header wide and in the final minute of the half Gordon found space in the box but his shot was blocked, as was the follow-up from John Christian.

Payne switched to 4-3-3 at the break and initially the change seemed to have the desired effect as Sean Sonner brought a save out of Madden and flashed another effort across the face of goal, while Northwood also had a strong penalty shout turned down as the referee missed a blatant handball by Hawes.

However, they were awarded a penalty for Joe Nightingill's challenge on Page but man of the match Madden beat out Sonner's 78th minute effort and the striker fired the rebound over the bar.

James Burgess was sacrificed for debutant Hugo Figueiredo as Woods desperately sought an equaliser but they ran out of ideas, the last chance falling to Otis Williams but he headed weakly at Madden deep in stoppage time.

NORTHWOOD: Swain, Power, Tackley, (Dwane Williams), Orlu, Burgess (Figueiredo), Christian, Gordon, Page, Sonner, Otis Williams, Murphy. Subs not used: Cowen, Holland, Brown.

Goals, Witham: Hawes 11. Woods: None. Attendance: 105.