They have been marooned at the bottom of the Combined Counties League Premier Division North table since August, but Oxhey Jets are now off the basement and growing in confidence they can pull off the great escape after a shock 1-0 victory at in-form Edgware & Kingsbury last night.

Henry Dudley’s first-half goal was enough to give Jets their third successive win in all competitions – the first time that has happened since January 2022 – while three straight clean sheets were last achieved in February 2020.

The victory was not enough to lift Jets out of the drop zone, but they are now only one point adrift of Wokingham & Emmbrook and the safety of 18th place, and with two games in hand. Furthermore, the young side assembled by David Barnes and Tom Inch is gaining in belief and building momentum.

Watford Observer: Henry Dudley's shot beats the Edgware keeper.Henry Dudley's shot beats the Edgware keeper. (Image: John Elliott)

Edgware went into the game top of the league form guide and also had the benefit of playing on their 4G pitch.

The visitors though, had the advantage of the slope in the first half and attacked hard, creating several chances, including one sequence of shots where they looked like they must score.

The opening goal finally arrived in the 36th minute. Dudley picked up the ball on the right-hand side and accelerated straight at the Edgware defence before powering home his shot from just inside the area.

Jets had to cope with playing against the slope in the second half against a good footballing side pushing forward. Jets coped with the pressure though, and the home side only created one really good opportunity that was saved by Lewis Lavin.

Jets might have even got a second as, pushing forward on the counter, they had a shot that hit the bar.

Joint manager Inch described the first 45 minutes as Jets’ best performance since he started his role in October, and the second half showed control and a desire to hold onto the win.

The Boundary Stadium club’s battle to beat the drop moves on to seventh-placed Virginia Water on Saturday, before they return home to face a Wallingford & Crowmarsh side currently sitting 13th in the table on Tuesday night.