Draw proves a good result for Hawks

So they must have been disappointed with a 2-2 draw, especially as they took the lead in each half through Charlie Walker and Joe Keehan. Bradley Goldberg made it 1-1 in added time at the end of the first half, and Hastings claimed their point with a goal by Tom Vickers with nine minutes left.

By the end of the day, though, Hawks must have been fairly pleased with themselves. Wealdstone, who battled out a 0-0 draw at old rivals Harrow, were the only other side in the top nine to get any reward.

Leaders Margate went down 1-0 at home to Cray, for whom Leigh Bremner’s 19th-minute goal was enough. Cray keeper Andy Walker is pictured (by Don Walker: no relation, as far as we know) holding on to an effort from the falling Michael Alaile.

Bognor were on the wrong end of the same scoreline at Lewes. Kane Wills missed a first-half penalty for Rocks, who went down to an 80th-minute strike by Nathan Crabb.

Sam Clayton, who switched from Kingstonian to Met Police earlier this month, dealt a huge blow to his old teammates at Imber Court. K’s took an early lead through Wade Small and held it until soon after half-time, when Clayton equalised. Another recent signing, David Knight, put the Met ahead shortly afterwards and they wrapped up their 4-1 home win with late goals from Howard Newton and Knight.

Carshalton, with only one away point in ten previous attempts, upset the odds to win 1-0 at eighth-placed Hampton. Nathaniel Pinney found the net nine minutes before the interval and, when Hampton had the chance to reply, Craig Holloway blasted his penalty over the bar. Robins stayed bottom despite their success, but drew closer to the teams above them.

Two of the other leading clubs, Bury and Lowestoft, had their meeting at the Ram Meadow postponed. They, too, must have enjoyed seeing the other scores.

Canvey started the day in ninth place, ahead of neighbours Concord on goal difference. But it was Concord who claimed offshore bragging rights in style with a 3-0 home win. They had Nicky Cowley sent off midway through the first half but were already 2-0 up thanks to a Harry Elmes double.

Canvey striker Bradley Woods-Garness hit a post just after Cowley’s departure but that was as close as his side came to starting a recovery and James White wrapped it up for the Beachboys with five minutes left.

Hendon moved well clear of the drop zone and left Wingate deep in trouble. It looked certain to be a goalless draw, even though Wingate had Andre Scarlett sent off with around 20 minutes left. But in the 89th minute former Hendon man Scott Shulton handled on the line, he became the second home player to make an early departure, and Julian Owusu-Bekoe converted the penalty.

Wingate remain 20th, a point ahead of Thurrock who now have four games in hand after their visit to borough rivals East Thurrock fell victim to the weather.

Leiston maintained their improvement with a 3-1 home win over Enfield Town, the team they pipped for the Ryman North title last season. Gareth Heath and Emmanuel Osei put them 2-0 up but Mitch Hahn put Enfield back in the game until Heath grabbed his second in the 78th minute.