Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Colney Heath 1 Ruislip Manor 0 GREG Deacon cracked home the only goal as Colney Heath sunk Ruislip Manor at The Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Colney Heath 1 Ruislip Manor 0

GREG Deacon cracked home the only goal as Colney Heath sunk Ruislip Manor at The Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Deacon lined up in a three-man midfield with Gary Simmons and Lee Rickard. Manager Craig Johnstone pushed Dean Parratt into a playmaker role behind the front two of Mark Blackburne and the recalled Ashley Aimakhu.

Marauding right back Dean Shuttleworth was charged with providing the width and put over several good crosses. It was from a Shuttleworth delivery that the Magpies almost took the lead as Parratt struck a sizzling first time volley which clipped the woodwork.

Parratt was denied for a second time when Deacon slid the ball through but the Manor goalkeeper blocked well.

The goal finally arrived for Heath when a Shuttleworth cross was cleared to the edge of the box and Deacon rifled the ball in to the bottom corner in spectacular fashion. Manager Johnstone said: "It was the one moment of real quality in the first half - a great goal."

Johnstone urged his team to push on and rattle in more goals in the second half but the match never took off and the Magpies missed the best chance to add to the scoring. Simmons put Blackburne through and after he was challenged in the box the referee pointed to the spot. Johnstone said: "Mark was crudely brought down." Deacon stepped up confidently but his kick was well saved.

The final score was 1-0 to Colney Heath taking them up to 45 points with two games remaining. On Saturday the Magpies host Biggleswade United before taking on Cockfosters on Wednesday in the semi final of the Potters Bar Charity Cup.