Hendon's dream of a top three finish became reality on Saturday despite the loss of their final two home games.

The Dons crashed to a 3-1 defeat against Aldershot on Thursday evening before Saturday's 1-0 loss to relegated Chesham, which left manager Dave Anderson ruing a punishing fixture schedule.

"This was a game too far for us," said Anderson. "The boys

have been playing on automatic pilot for most of this week."

Saturday's defeat was the first time this season Hendon had suffered back-to-back losses, but the results didn't affect the club's best finishing position in the league since 1974.

A lacklustre Hendon failed to sparkle in the first half and it was the visitors who did all the pressing, with David Hook forced into an early diving save from Chesham's Andy Douglas.

The Dons, playing their 22nd match in 63 days, upped their play in the second period. Lee Endersby's curling free kick was the hosts' first shot on target in the 48th minute.

An Endersby lob just missed the crossbar minutes later and Steve Butler should have done better when he latched on to a Paul Yates corner.

But Chesham almost took the lead with 15 minutes left when a Tom Neill free kick pierced a crowd of players and almost evaded Hook, who did well to turn the ball round the post.

The visitors did find the net five minutes later, however, when they were awarded a penalty after substitute Stephen Miles was upended by Hook.

Despite Iain Duncan being the last man, the referee sent the goalkeeper off and, with all three substitutes having being used, Micky Woolner donned Hook's gloves.

Although he got a hand to Grant Cooper's penalty, Woolner couldn't keep the ball out.

Woolner made a fine block a minute from time to stop Chesham doubling their lead. Martin Randall almost rescued a point in injury time but a lunging Wayne Brown kept the ball out.

May 6, 2003 17:00