AFC went into this game, the first of two consecutive home fixtures, knowing that a victory was very much needed in their quest to remain a Ryman Premier League side.

Manager Jamie Godbold was unable to select Rob Eagle and Jack Wilkinson both injured, while Liam Wales was playing on dual registration for Thetford Town. Into the squad came new signing Sam Corcoran, a midfielder recently released by St Albans City, a player that started his career with Colchester United.

Injury again struck AFC as after naming the side Aidan Austin got injured in the pre-match warm and Tyler French took his place.

The game started with each side having early chances, AFC’s from Ryan Henshaw making his 300th appearance (or 301 if the Hendon game is counted), Harrow’s came from Charles-Smith who was lively all afternoon.

Marcus Garnham came to Sudbury’s rescue when he clawed away a shot from Charles-Smith conceding a corner. It was a first class save.

On ten minutes Sam Clarke was deemed to have gone in with his studs showing and was cautioned. It was a significant booking, being his fifteenth of the season and will mean a three-match ban for the AFC Captain.

AFC were unlucky not to take the lead when Sam Bantick (pictured) fired in a powerful shot that Williams in the visitor’s goal pushed away. Bantick then took a pass from Craig Parker but his shot went straight at the Harrow goalkeeper. The home side kept on the pressure and Clarke got up well to head a French cross but the ball went wide.

AFC were to rue their missed chances as from their own free kick the ball came back over the defence and Charles-Smith ran onto the ball and then ran onwards to score. Webb for the visitors had two efforts that fortunately came to nothing before AFC levelled.

A run down the right side by Joe Marsden took him beyond the Harrow defence before he crossed and there was Craig Parker to slot the ball home.

It seemed that the sides would go in level, but in stoppage time an uncharacteristic mistake by Garnham allowed Harrow to go back in front. A Lomas cross from the left came out of the goalkeeper’s hands and there was Driver to tap home from close range.

Half-Time; - AFC Sudbury 1 Harrow Borough 2

French was unable to continue having picked a problem with his quad muscle and Tevan Allen replaced him in the AFC defence.

Marsden had a free-kick effort that went straight at Williams before elven minutes after the restart Harrow went further in front. A quick break saw Driver outpace his defender and then his cross found Cumberbatch who fired home well.

The recently signed from Stowmarket Town, Ace Howell came on for AFC taking over from Kieran Monlouis. Marsden took a corner and it was cleared away from under the crossbar by Babalola.

Clarke headed wide from a Bantick corner before Driver went away for Harrow and Garnham blocked his first shot and then the Harrow man fired into the side netting.

Danny Crow came on with ten minutes left replacing Bantick and was soon in the action when in a crowded penalty area he had a couple of shots blocked. Harrow had an attack and while it went on Henshaw committed a foul, when played was stopped the referee went back and booked the Sudbury defender.

After Marsden had a shot blocked Harrow broke away and on the halfway line Henshaw blocked his man and as a result was given a second yellow card and thus a red. His sending off will probably result in a three or four-match ban due to his previous record this season.

Time ran out and it was another home defeat, it was certainly not the result wanted but there is still time to avoid a place in the bottom four, just!

Att 263

YNOT