A late Stefan Bailey header saw Bovingdon take a big step towards the Herts Senior County League title as they snatched a 2-1 victory at fellow high-flyers Letchworth Garden City Eagles.

Boss Lee Bircham admitted he would have taken the draw following a performance he was not happy with on Saturday, but was delighted to get a win that leaves his side nine points clear at the top with games in hand on the four sides below them.

And the leaders’ advantage will grow even further if they can win tomorrow at a Ware Sports side who have moved above Letchworth into second on goal difference.

“That was another massive three points the boys ground out today,” Bircham said. “We were by no means at our best in many areas of the pitch but our character cannot be questioned.

“Because of the weather and games being called off, this start stop of playing one week and sitting out two has been tough for our momentum. But we have been keeping the lads focused on the job in hand.”

Reflecting further on the performance, Bircham conceded: “We didn’t play the conditions well. Everyone knows we are a passing team whereas today what we should have been doing was a bit more ‘old fashioned’ turning their back four around. We constantly kept trying to play and the boys know that wasn’t right today.

“We talked about it beforehand but it’s not that easy with a lot of youngsters to totally change your game at the flick of a switch. We’ve got a lot of young lads who are still learning ‘men’s’ football and hopefully games like today are a learning curve. Some conditions deserve a different style and today was that.”

The visitors could have gone in front inside the opening 30 seconds when captain Matt Standen blasted over with just the keeper to beat.

But it didn’t take them too long to make the breakthrough as Dara Dada won a tackle in midfield and played in Kaan Fehmi to score on his first start for the club.

Bovingdon had chances to extend their lead but their opponents were always a threat and keeper Tom Blackman was forced into action on more than one occasion.

The visitors’ task should have been made easier with 15 minutes remaining when Letchworth had a player sent off for a bad challenge on Courtney Massay, but within three minutes the hosts were level after breaking on the counter after Dada had been caught in possession following a Bovingdon corner.

But this prompted the best spell of the match for Bircham's side and it was to be rewarded when Fehmi pulled wide and crossed for the on-rushing Bailey to head powerfully home.

“In fairness to Letchworth they really had a go, especially with 10 men and got that late equaliser, but credit where it’s due, my lads dug deep and found a winner,” the Bovingdon boss added.

“In truth I’d have probably taken the draw at 1-1 but I’m obviously over the moon with getting the three points.”

Although the table toppers are playing catch-up, Belstone are even further behind, but they moved to within a point of Sandridge Rovers with seven games in hand after winning 3-1 at the fifth-placed side.

Darren Turner led the way for the Radlett club with a brace and Tighe Hyde was also on target.

Goals from Dale Archer and Anton Collins fired Bushey Sports Club to a 2-1 victory at Evergreen and Chipperfield Corinthians also had a good day on the road, triumphing 4-0 at Buntingford Town.

Sun Sports Reserves are third and four points off the top of Senior Division One after prevailing 6-4 in a thriller with Sarratt.

Bovingdon Reserves completed the club double as they thumped Letchworth’s reserve side 7-2 in the second round of the Cecil Hudson Cup.