With Farnham also in a precarious position, it was an understandly cagey opening to the match, with both sides not wanting to make that crucial mistake.

Farnham had the first effort on goal when a Jack Dillon volley was blocked by Luke Harmsworth, and from the corner, Will Neville headed wide.

Valley responded well, and after good play by Jonjo Earl had won a free kick, George Murphy's delivery into the area was well gathered by the impressive Arjuna Adlam in the Farnham goal.

Liam Holden should have given Valley the lead on 20 minutes when he burst clear, but instead of shooting he opted to pick out brother Jay, but only succeeded in finding the defender.

Earl fired an effort over from distance, as Valley started to gain the ascendancy, before a good Farnham move involving Dillon and Nev Tuck, eventually ended with a Cav Ferris strike going just over, and five minutes later, a great defensive header by Mark Toomey-Layne prevented Dillon from getting a header on goal.

Liam Holden fired wide after good play by Max Bajeux, before a series of bizarre decisions led to both Liam Holden and Oshilada finding their way into the referee's book.

A disappointing first half ended scoreless.

Dillon went close with a long range effort early in the second half as Farnham started brightly, but Valley again started to assert themselves. Jay Holden fired over after good play by Bajeux, and on 10 minutes Jay Holden was pushed to the ground in the area, only for the referee to inexplicably wave play on.

Holden was booked for his protests, and Valley's sense of injustice increased two minutes later when Leigh Bowden fumbled a Tuck shot, and Craig Smith fired the loose ball home and Farnham into a valuable lead.

Valley made a change on the hour, replacing the injured Earl with Vigan Rexhepi, and he saw an early shot well blocked by the Farnham backline. Valley had another good appeal for a penalty midway through the half, when Liam Holden was bundled over, but again play was waved on, and minutes later Liam was denied by an excellent Adlam save, when through on goal.

Farnham increased their lead with just over 15 minutes remaining. Toomey-Layne bought down Ferris wide on the Valley right, and Adam Wareham curled home the free kick.

Liam Holden fired another effort wide, and late substitute Daryl Cooper-Smith saw a header saved as Valley ended brightly.

Premier hopes are now in the balance.

Team: Leigh Bowden; Mark Toomey-Layne, Luke Harmsworth (Daryl Cooper-Smith), George Murphy, Bradley Grant; Adewale Oshilada (Sean Lawless), Max Bajeux, Jonjo Earl (Vigan Rexhepi), Paul Webber; Liam Holden, Jay Holden

Bookings:

36 mins: Liam Holden (dissent)
38 mins: Adewale Oshilada (dissent)
54 mins: Jay Holden (dissent)