The Woods were left dejected as in-form Bedford Town grabbed a winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage-time having worked hard to pull level and earn a point with a late equaliser.

Young defender Lewis Hobbs was back in the side after a short spell with Southern Premier outfit Royston Town, which allowed Tom Gilbey to move to left-back, Andrew Camilo Tayaca to switch over to right-back and Isaac Olorunfemi took a more attacking role in place of unavailable Harry Newman. Jermaine Osei was back up front after another spell out with his hamstring problem. Bedford had notched seven wins in their last seven league games and were building for a late push for the play-offs.

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And the Eagles were almost in front after just twelve seconds as Wilson Chingoka lost possession in midfield and a quick through-ball put in Paul Benson. The former Dagenham & Redbridge striker, currently on loan to Bedford from National League side Boreham Wood, shot low and well but the ball came back off the far post.

The Woods rallied quickly though and after eight minutes a goalmouth scramble led to the ball falling to Osei but he hit a tame shot straight at goalkeeper Kyle Forster. There was a further opportunity on 14 minutes when Camilo Tayaca knocked in an excellent cross from the right which picked out Meshach Williams but his header was also gratefully clutched by Forster, who didn’t have to move.

Bedford countered again with a good ball from Devante Stanley picking out Jimmy Hartley but his shot was saved at the near post by Xavi Comas and the Woods keeper denied Hartley again a few minutes later after the Bedford attacker cut in from the flank. The Eagles were then almost ahead after 30 minutes as Hartley combined with Callum Donnelly and he chipped into the box where Benson’s header was pushed away by an excellent reaction save from Comas.

Bedford continued to dominate towards the end of the first half but the closest they came was when Ollie Swain hammered a shot wide after a corner dropped to him and then Bradley Woods-Garness had a tame shot comfortably saved by Comas. The Woods looked dangerous on the counter with Evans Kouassi and Isaac Olorunfemi threatening but the final ball lacked quality.

The Eagles were still flying at the start of the second half. A Stanley shot curled wide and then Woods-Garness hooked over but after 55 minutes a free-kick conceded by Hobbs close to the corner-flag was drilled to the near-post where Steve Gentle added a glancing header which gave Bedford the lead.

Ned Clarke replaced an out-of-sorts Chingoka after 61 minutes and the Woods enjoyed a good spell as they looked for an equaliser. Clarke had an effort blocked and when Osei turned the ball back into the area Charley Barker’s strike took a deflection but went straight to Forster once again.

With ten minutes to go Stanley played a good ball through to Benson but some good defending denied him a shot at goal and three minutes later the Woods should have been level. A quick counter from a Bedford corner saw Williams feed Kouassi and his cross found substitute Paolo Montella in space but he blasted his shot well over with just Forster to beat. It seemed that the chance of a draw had gone but just two minutes later Kouassi centred from the left and after Bedford failed to clear, Williams latched onto the loose ball and tucked a shot inside the post to make it 1-1.

The Woods appeared to be defending well and holding onto a good point until the Eagles swooped for the winner just before the final whistle. Stanley played a neat ball through to substitute Lee Roache who managed to get into the area before squaring the ball to where Benson was lurking and he poked the ball home to the delight of the visiting fans.