Northwood were unable to halt their poor run of form as they completed their home campaign with a fifth successive league defeat at the hands of play-off headed Marlow.
There were a number of changes from Saturday's defeat at Cheshunt including a return for skipper Carl Pearce and goalkeeper Rob Partington while Alex Witham and Matt Cooper missed out having picked up knocks on the weekend. And there was a buoyant mood around the Acretweed Stadium as a good crowd acknowledged the naming of the 'Byrne Stand' and the cup winning under 16s before kick-off.
However, the bubble was deflated as early as the opening minute as Woods conceded a soft goal, with Kelvin Bossman getting between defence and keeper to head home on the bounce.
Ben Pattie stung the fingers of Marlow goalkeeper Simon Grant with a fierce shot as the hosts looked for an immediate response but Northwood's frustration was evident as Kerran Lataille picked up an early caution on his first league start as the hosts struggled to find their feet. And the Blues should have extended their lead as Adam Richards blazed a free header wide of the target following a corner.
Woods gradually began to find some rhythm and former Wood Isaac Olorunfemi received a caution for halting Trey Charles' progress with Zaied Sabti off target with the ensuing free kick from the edge of the box.
Marlow continued to offer a threat as Jordan Edwards had a shot blocked before another effort flew narrowly wide. And the visitors increased their lead on 35 minutes as the Woods defence afforded too much space to Charlie Samuel who fired in a low shot from the edge of the box.
However, Northwood were offered a glimmer of hope before the half-time break as Olorunfemi received a second yellow card for another clumsy challenge on Charles; although Marlow have become quite adept at playing with ten men in a season of red cards.
Woods came out for the second period looking to exploit their numerical advantage and they were quickly on the attack as a low cross from Charles just evaded the waiting Ben Pattie, the latter testing keeper Simon Grant from the resultant corner.
Northwood kept up the pressure as Sam Jenkins saw his header palmed away by Grant and Pattie dragged a shot wide.
Kyran Worrell and Jamie Fulton were introduced for Jabir Laraba and Dan Pett as Woods continued to search for a way back into the contest. And Jenkins was getting some joy down the right wing as he crossed for Worrell who headed over before another cross picked out Charles who rifled over with a shot from his weaker right foot.
Woods stuck to their task and they finally gained some reward with a goal on 84 minutes as Sabti delivered a cross following a short corner which was headed home by Charles via the underside of the crossbar.
Marlow deployed every trick in the time-wasting book as they sought to run the clock down and Woods went close to a deserved equaliser as Pearce headed wide from another fine Jenkins cross.
But it wasn't to be as the referee surprisingly added barely five minutes of stoppage time and with that went Northwood's hope of signing off at The AcreTweed with a share of the spoils.
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