By David Graham

HARTLEY Wintney earned a 1-1 draw at home against fourth-placed Leatherhead as the two sides maintained their league positions.

Leatherhead started well and indeed dominated most of the first half. On 11 minutes Alpha Diallo made a fast break down the right for the Tanners and his low cross went across the Row six yard box with no takers. 

Then almost immediately Trevan Robinson was through and Row keeper Louis Evans saved well.

On 17 minutes a slick move involving a number of Leatherhead players created an opening for Ghas Sow who shot over the crossbar. 

Hartley had their first foray into the Tanners half and on 20 minutes a back-tracking Leatherhead defender did well to head over his own crossbar following a dangerous cross from the left by Isaac Ebejer. 

A minute later IK Hill had an effort for Hartley which saw Michael Allen in the visitors goal save.

Leatherhead went ahead on 25 minutes. A long free kick from the left saw Row keeper Evans mispunch and Luther Williams was on hand to shoot home (0-1).

Dially managed to get on the end of a long pass forward for the Tanners and with Evans well off his line the full backs parting shot went just wide.   On the stroke of half time Robinson got beyond the Hartley defence and Evans came out and made a good save.

The Tanners had the first effort of the half on 46 minutes  when a Sow shot went wide.

Hartley started to get on top with some good enterprising midfield play and pulled level on 51 minutes. Ryan Case crossed from the right and the ball deceived Tanners keeper Allen. The ball hit the inside of the post and Conor Lynch touched the ball into the net. (1-1)

Hartley had a good spell and on 53 minutes Mason Obeng set up Reece Wylie who saw his shot go over the bar. 

Six minutes later Lynch created an opening for Mo Jallow who saw his effort well saved by Allen. The Tanners responded and Daniel Hector provided an opening for Diallo who saw his effort saved by Evans. Soon after another Leatherhead shot from Hector saw Evans well positioned to save.

Tyler Cox for the visitors managed to get free down the left on 75 minutes but his effort lacked power and Evans saved.

Hartley had a good chance on 75 minutes as IK Hill outpaced the Tanners defence. However he delayed his shot and got smothered out by a combination of a back tracking defender and goalie Allen. 

The Row finished strongly and almost created an opening. However, the Tanners defence held firm and the points were shared.