It remains neck and neck at the top of the Southern League Division One Central table after Kings Langley and Egham Town both won on Saturday, but the top two have now opened up a five-point cushion.

Goals from Immanuelson Duku and a late David Hutton penalty secured the points for Kings in a 2-0 victory at Barton Rovers, while Egham won 1-0 at Chalfont St Peter to stay top courtesy of a superior goal difference of five with both sides level on 78 points.

However, third-placed Royston Town, who have a game in hand on the top two, lost ground in the title race after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Godalming Town.

Joint managers Paul Hughes and Ritchie Hanlon gave starts to wide front men Duku and Lorenzo Ferrari and the selection paid off as early as the ninth minute. Hutton sprayed a ball out to Duku on the right wing and he did well to get goal-side of his opposite number before chipping the out-coming Kyle Forster.

Rovers replied by forcing a series of corners, one of which nearly resulted in an own goal, but the next clear chance fell to the visitors as a low Duku cross was spooned over the bar from close range by the usually lethal Mitchell Weiss.

At the other end, attacking full-back Lucas Perry got himself into a great position, but his weak shot was held by Xavi Comas.

The second half was more notable for both teams’ dalliance with airborne clearances or attacking long balls and little was seen of the characteristic Kings inter-passing game.

Hutton was the exception, displaying some silky skills and entering into a contest with the impressive Forster that saw the keeper bring off two superb saves when the playmaker was through on goal.

Barton matched their higher placed opponents for most of an evenly-matched contest, but rarely looked like getting the better of man-of-the-match Stuart Deaton and his central partner Connor Toomey.

As Kings edged closer to grinding out the result, Hutton went on another foray through the home defence and this time was unceremoniously felled by Rovers skipper Paul Andrews, giving the referee no doubts about pointing to the spot.

Hutton stepped up to dispatch the kick with confidence, but the resulting celebrations led to Emmanuel Folarin, a contender for the match award, receiving a second yellow for the over exuberance of his particular accolade. But this was the only blot on a performance that bore the hallmark required of potential champions.

Although Kings are due to face Leverstock Green in the St Mary’s Cup tomorrow, they will also be awaiting news from elsewhere as Egham are at home to Fleet Town while Royston entertain Potters Bar Town.