Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

Maidstone United are almost there after the long-time Ryman Premier leaders beat play-off chasing Grays Athletic on Saturday, while second-placed Hendon were held to a draw in the race for the title, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Stones need just one more win from one of their two remaining games after goals from Jay May on 51 minutes and Frannie Collin 12 minutes from time in front of a terrific crowd of 2094 at the Gallagher Stadium after Jamie Stevens had equalised on 68 minutes.

The defeat pushed Grays back out of the top five and they now trail Enfield Town by two points after they beat second-bottom AFC Hornchurch by the odd goal in five at the QEII Stadium.

Martin Tuohy gave the struggling Urchins an 18th minute lead, but Ryan Doyle levelled from the penalty spot after 35 minutes. Cory Whitely then bagged a brace for Town in the 53rd and 61st minutes, and although George Purcell reduced the deficit five minutes from time, it wasn`t enough.

Hendon, meanwhile, almost pulled off a tremendous win which would have kept the title race really wide open.

The Greens were reduced to ten-men in the 38th minute after James Fisher was dismissed with a straight red card for a challenge deemed reckless.

Xavier Vidal then broke the deadlock to give fourth-placed Dulwich Hamlet a 49th minute lead. But the ten-men equalised when Sam Murphy converted a 64th minute spot-kick and then took the lead with 10 minutes to go through Dave Diedhou.

But with less than a minute of normal time remaining, Jordan Hibbert grabbed Hamlet's equaliser with a stunning drive that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Margate's slim title hopes are over after they were beaten 1-0 at Fetcham Grove by Leatherhead, whose Vas Karagiannis scored the only goal from the spot after just six minutes.

Metropolitan Police maintained their outside play-off hopes alive after a 2-0 Imber Court victory over Lewes, Jake Reid bagging a brace for the Met in the 30th and 33rd minutes.

Leiston`s hopes, however, are over after they shared a 2-2 draw at Nyewood Lane against Bognor Regis Town.

Gareth Heath put the Suffolk side in front after 32 minutes, but James Crane eventually pulled the Sussex hosts level on 71 minutes. Ollie Pearce then put them in front seven minutes from time, only for Joe Jefford to equalise in stoppage time.

The battle to avoid joining Bury Town in being relegated is still very tight, with the Blues not helping Harrow Borough`s cause after beating them 2-1 at Ram Meadow with goals from Jordan Patrick after 20 minutes and Dave Lampshire four minutes after the break – Michael Peacock replying six minutes from time.

The race still involves eight teams, with even AFC Hornchurch mathematically able to save themselves as well.

Hampton & Richmond Borough in fifteenth did their hopes a power of good, while at the same time deepened Canvey Island`s worries after inflicting a 4-0 drubbing on the Gulls at the Prospects Stadium.

Moussa Diarra bagged a brace for the Beavers in the 38th and 50th minutes, with Charlie Moone on 66 minutes and Jerome Federico 15 minutes from time completing the scoring.

Witham Town need favours elsewhere and win their remaining two games to avoid returning to Division One North after their 3-0 defeat at Longmead, which pushed Tonbridge Angels onto fifty points – three clear of the drop zone.

Marvin Williams after eight minutes and a Billy Medlock brace on 45 and 63 minutes were the Angels` scorers.

Peacehaven & Telscombe dropped into the bottom four after losing 2-0 at home to Billericay Town, for whom Ricky Sappleton after 14 minutes and Rowan Liburd on 76 minutes were the targetmen.

VCD Athletic joined Haven and Harrow on forty-seven points after a crucial 2-0 home win against Wingate & Finchley, courtesy of a Michael Power double in the 11th and 90th minutes – the second from the spot.