Time is running out for AFC Hayes to survive as a last minute Northwood winner looks to have sealed their place in the relegation places.
Hayes are 12 points from safety with nine games to play and an uphill struggle to remain in the Southern League Division One Central.
The away side would have felt hard done by on Saturday when a controversial last minute penalty robbed them of a share of the derby bragging rights.
Hayes were left to rue early chances when Eugene Asante managed to somehow miss the target from two yards before Ryan Debattista had an effort blocked.
The Brook did take the lead on the 20 minute mark when Northwood's Mark Burgess mistimed a clearance and caught Asante with his follow through.
Debattista had his penalty saved but converted the rebound.
Northwood reacted well and just six minutes later got a slice of luck when Ismael Ehui headed the ball towards goal before it took a big deflection to wrong foot the Hayes keeper.
Asante had the ball in the net in the second half only to see the linesman raise his flag as he tapped in the rebound from Debattista's effort.
Northwood began to get frustrated as they saw attack after attack broken down by niggly fouls which saw a number of yellow cards brandished, but succeeded in breaking up play.
In the 91st minute a controversial penalty decision proved the difference between the two sides.
Nana Asamoah raced through on goal and as he looked to go past the onrushing Melvin Minter the ref pointed to the spot, despite Minter appearing to play the ball first, Michael Murray made no mistake from 12 yards.
In the same division, Uxbridge recorded victory in a scrappy local derby against basement boys North Greenford.
A brace from Dave Thomas and one from Chris Moore sealed a 3-0 win. The Reds travelled to Barton Rovers last night (Tuesday) before facing Northwood on Saturday.
In the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Harefield recorded a 2-0 win at home to Biggleswade United with goals from Liam Hind and Tom Hunt while Hillingdon Borough were held to a 1-1 draw on the road to Stotfield with Roy Byron finding the net.
This weekend Hillingdon host Colney Heath while Harefield travel to Kings Langley.
