Saturday's Round-Up: Vanarama National League South

The Hawks may have arrived in Kent some twelve points adrift of the safety-mark, but were in decent form, having won three and drawn one of their last four matches.

And they held the leaders until seconds before the half-time whistle when Ronnie Vint broke the deadlock.

However, the visitors equalised 11 minutes into the second half through David Ijaha.

But an Andy Pugh brace in the 64th and 72nd minutes sealed the Darts win.

Hampton & Richmond Borough`s marvellous season continues and a twenty-first league game without defeat against fellow top seven contenders Chelmsford City kept them on Dartford`s heels in second.

Max Kretzschmar gave the Beavers a great start at Melbourne Stadium when he opened the scoring after just 3 minutes.

That was the scoreline at the break, and then just shy of the hour-mark, Anthony Church pulled the Clarets back on level terms.

But, as they say, winning becomes a habit, and Elliott Charles popped up with Hampton`s 69th minute second to eventually seal the points.

Not such a good day for third-placed Hemel Hempstead Town, who had `one of those days` at home to third-bottom Poole Town.

The Tudors fell behind in 31st minute to a Richard Gillespie effort and in truth never came close to pulling it back.

With fourth-placed Havant & Waterlooville being inactive at Truro City, Braintree Town had the opportunity to move into third place as they travelled to Park View Road to take on a Welling United side looking to get back amongst the top seven contenders.

But the Iron went down to a disappointing 3-0 defeat and have won just once in their last seven games.

Town had Ricky Gabriel dismissed in the 27th minute but held out until just past the hour-mark.

Callum Driver broke the deadlock and 6 minutes later, Anthony Acheampong added a second, with Jack Jebb making it 3-0 with 13 minutes to go.

St Albans City moved into sixth, a point behind Braintree, after demolishing mid-table East Thurrock United 7-2 at Clarence Park.

Despite leading 2-1 after 30 minutes following goals from Lewis Smith and an own goal credited to Saints `keeper Dean Snedker – Sam Merson replying - a second booking for Marvin Ekpiteta saw the game turn on its head and the hosts scored six unanswered goals.

Merson completed a hat-trick before half-time and Percy Kiangebeni made it 4-2 at the break.

Merson scored his fourth and the Saints fifth on the hour-mark, with Charlie Walker on 79 minutes and Zane Banton 3 minutes from time adding the others.

Bath City are tenth but only four points adrift of seventh-placed Truro, but were held to a 1-1 draw at Oxford City.

Bath led through Ross Stearn’s strike just before half-time.

The hosts equalised on 75 minutes when Robbie Sinclair went down in the box and Matt Paterson sent Luke Southwood the wrong way from the spot to level the scores.

Eastbourne Borough will be looking over their shoulders at the drop zone after a 2-1 defeat at a Concord Rangers side who leap-frogged them in the table, left Boro six points above the relegation places.

Ben Greenhalgh gave the Beachboys an 11th minute lead and the same player doubled the home side`s lead 10 minutes later.

A nervy end ensued though when Gavin McCallum pulled one back for Boro with 3 minutes remaining.

Wealdstone moved above Weston-super-Mare into eleventh after edging the Seagulls 2-1 at Grosvenor Vale.

The Stones got off to a good start when Matty Whichelow put them in front in the 8th minute.

Abobaker Eisa eventually added a second for the home side in the 57th minute.

But it became a bit frenetic at the end after Wealdstone had defender Ian Gayle dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 80th minute and then Gethyn Hill pulled one back for Weston 6 minutes later.