Play-off contenders Wingate & Finchley notched their first-ever win at Chestnut Avenue but the Woods deserved more than just another defeat, their seventh in the league on the trot.

Northwood welcomed Brad Hewitt back to the defence for the first time in five weeks having recovered from a rib injury, and Ryan Tackley also returned, though Michael Peacock was given a rest having played with several knocks in recent weeks.

The Woods enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, with Kyle Matthews shooting well over but then Anthony Page linking up well with Will Hudson and Scott Orphanou to produce a good effort that was well saved by goalkeeper Gavin King.

Despite all that, Wingate then managed to take the lead with their first effort on goal after 17 minutes. A corner was punched clear by Mitch Swain but Angus McLachlan returned it low through a ruck of players and managed to thread it all the way into the net despite Scott Purdue’s efforts to clear off the line.

It took time to regroup, especially with Anton Robinson succumbing to a hamstring strain and being replaced by Aaron Cato, but the Woods came back at the visitors before the break. King saved well from Cato who had latched onto a Purdue throw-on with a good strike and then Hudson burst into the box with a fierce effort which flashed only just over the bar.

The Woods continued to shade the game as the second half began, with Scott Orphanou’s tireless running on his own up front almost rewarded as he touched a Tackley cross just wide of the post. He was eventually assisted in attack with the introduction of Peacock for Hudson, with the Woods defender trying to add some additional height in that area, but it never really worked.

After 67 minutes a long run from McLachlan ended with a shot not far over the top and the game was slowing down a little at this stage, but things picked up again the final ten minutes.

Anthony Page won a challenge on the edge of the area which gave him a great chance to get through on goal but a superb block tackle by Ajet Shehu denied him. Then, at the other end, Chris Chase shot wide after being set-up by substitute Paul Hakim.

Mitch Swain then made a good save at the feet of Chase to keep his side in with a chance, but the last effort from the Woods came from a Tackley free-kick which curled round the defensive wall but straight at King in goal.

Swain saved again late on from James Eagerly but the visitors had held on to their narrow advantage and it was enough to condemn the Woods to another defeat. It leaves them just one loss short of equalling a club record of eight consecutive league defeats. Their luck will surely turn soon.

Report by ALAN EVANS

Photos by James Brown