An equaliser from Toby Little and a last minute strike from substitute Dominic McAuley saw a very relieved Simon East's side leave the pitch at the end of tonight's Premier Division game against a very competent Northwood side with three points.

It was the visitors who started the brighter and could indeed have taken the lead within a minute but Stuart Onslow's shot flashed across goal and wide of the upright. It wasn't long though before the Woods did open the scoring, Daniel Brown crossing from the right side for striker Mickelle Thomas who outjumped his marker to plant a header past John Peacock in the Hayes goal.

The Missioners almost hit an immediate equaliser but Woods keeper Bill Fishenden did well to push Toby Little's drive around the post before the woodwork came to our rescue at the other end as a dipping drive from all of 25 yards from Onslow beat Peacock but crashed back off the bar, the rebound fell nicely for Chris White but he could only shoot into Peacock's arms.

The home side began to show some forward momentum, Dave Thomas was wide with a header and Jerome Ferguson set up Matt Carroll who saw his effort cleared off the line by visiting skipper David Sexton. Andrew Harewood then created space for Ferguson but his shot was pushed wide by Fishenden, the resultant corner finding its way to Jack Rooney on the edge of the box but Fishenden was equal to his effort.

The final chance of the first half fell to Northwood, a smart chip into the area found White but Peacock was equal to his volley.

Early in the second period the impressive Onslow had a deflected free-kick saved by Peacock and on the hour mark Carroll and Little combined well with Fishenden using his legs to save from Little. Little himself took the corner that was met by Liam Hind but his effort was inches wide of the post.

Manager Simon East then replaced striker Matt Carroll with Dominic McAuley, pushing Little into a more forward position and within minutes it had paid dividends. A quick throw from Michael Bryan on the right found Little in the area, his sharp turn left full-back Luke Lynham treading water as he coolly fired past Fishenden into the far corner to bring the game level.

Ten minutes later the same player should have put us in front, a long clearance was totally misjudged by the defence and fell to Little who attempted to lob Fishenden who was outside his area but sadly the effort was high and wide.

Just three minutes remained and it was the visitors who looked more likely to score, the closest being a shot on the turn from four yards out by the goalscorer Thomas that Peacock did well to keep out with his legs at the foot of the post. This let off gave us a boot and just as the game entered stoppage time a winner came, Little received the ball with his back to goal before sliding a pass to McAuley who casually slipped the ball past Fishenden into the far corner.

Report by Kevin Watts.