The Woods’ four-match winning run came to an end with a poor display against struggling rivals North Greenford United in front of a good midweek crowd.

Howard Hall replaced Ed Hatcher at right-back in the only change to the side that had scrapped to victory at Woodford United a week earlier, and they began well enough with James Bent firing a free-kick just wide and then Tom Windsor saw his well-struck drive pushed over the bar by goalkeeper Gary Jallow.

Yet it was the Blues who took the lead after 15 minutes when they forced a corner and when that was knocked into the back stick, former Woods striker Garry Senior cushioned a header back across the face of the goal, which crept in off the unguarded post.

North Greenford went close to increasing that lead on 21 minutes as Michael Parkin was only able to parry a low strike from Sean Hillier but he reacted quickly to scoop the loose ball away from the predatory Senior as he closed in.

The Woods forced several corners but without creating anything in front of goal and neither side was really playing with any fluency and Jallow dealt well with a crisp shot from Wayne Jackson as the half drew to an eventless end.

Having seen much-better second-half performances from the Woods in recent weeks, hopes were high for similar improvements in this contest, and when Warren Whitely threaded a good ball through to Scott Orphanou on 56 minutes, a goal looked on the cards. But the striker’s first touch was poor and the ball rolled through to Jallow.

After 62 minutes Zac Gill helped on a long throw in by Hall and Jackson came in at the back post to hit a good shot, which took a slight deflection and then hit the near post.

North Greenford were restricted to long-range efforts and a speculative effort from another former Northwood player, Charlie Hill dropped only just over the bar soon after but it was the home side who were enjoying the better possession at this stage.

After 68 minutes it was Jackson again who let fly with a shot that Jallow could only push away, but the ball was cleared and the final twenty minutes saw Northwood run out of ideas.

Substitutions were tried, with Lucas Williams, Jake Lovell and Dean Wallace all introduced for Hall, Orphanou and Jackson, but North Greenford scrapped for everything and defended stoutly. The nearest that the Woods got to an equaliser was when Jackson knocked in a cross and Nick Turner sliced his attempted clearance, the ball flashing only just over his own crossbar.

It was only the second away league win all season for the visitors and the Woods will have to regroup and come out stronger for the impending home games against play-off seekers Daventry Town and Slough Town.

Report by ALAN EVANS