League leaders Rugby Town suffered a 3 – 1 defeat at Uxbridge and second placed Dunstable Town went down 1 – 0 at home to Barton Rovers, the `Duns` without the suspended `twenty goal striker` Lee Roache.

Six points from the last three games has seen Daventry Town restore their place in the top five promotion spots, a position which has pleased Daventry Town Manager Darran Foster,
`I was pleased with our performance, because we looked very comfortable throughout the game!
`It can difficult when the opposition goes down to ten men, you can either score six or seven past them or they can come out fighting and make the game difficult for you.
Full respect to Hayes, they came out fighting!

`We were in total control during the first half; our home form has been exceptional this season, which is why we are still in with a chance of a play - off place.
`Despite not playing for almost a month, we have gained nine really important points, with a pleasing run of form. The players have not yet gained full match fitness, but at least the results are going the right way!

With centre back Marcel Simpson still out nursing a knee injury; it was the same starting eleven that had defeated Potters Bar, five days earlier.
Adam Confue tried to pass the ball past Bobby Khira, the Hayes keeper minutes before Luke Keen sent a shot high into the Daventry recycling yard!
The first goal came after just eleven minutes; Ashley Robinson made a determined run into the penalty area, but was bought down by Hayes Charlie Goode, who received a yellow card for his ill judgement.

Having had a Luke Keen penalty saved last week at Barton Rovers, the task of converting the spot kick this week fell to Captain Liam Dolman, who calmly sent the keeper the wrong way.

There had not been too much goal mouth action in the first half, but Daventry went in at the break two goals in front and Hayes a player short!
This time, Charlie Goode bought down Tom James on the edge of the area and was sent off for a second caution, leaving James to pick himself up and hit a curling free kick beyond the reach of the Hayes keeper.

Hayes bought on striker Tony Mendy in the second half, looking to add a little more urgency to their attack, but it was Daventry who added another goal, after some confusion in the Hayes defence. As the keeper came out of his goal to collect a hopeful punt forward, a Hayes defender headed the ball back over his head, leaving Ashley Robinson to tap the ball into an empty net.
Luke Keen was unlucky not to add to the score line after an excellent individual run towards goal, his shot tipped round the post by the keeper. It was good to see many of the supporters stop and applaud the players off the pitch after the first match at Communications Park for six weeks!
Foster said, `The next couple of weeks are going to be crucial, five really tough matches. We play Aylesbury United twice; both matches will be difficult as the Ducks have had some decent results in recent weeks, including a draw with Rugby.
North Greenford is always a difficult place to visit, so I am also expecting a tough game against them.
`We then have two matches at home to Kettering and Slough Town; these two matches could decide the outcome of our season. I expect these two clubs to put our unbeaten home record to the test, but I am confident we can overcome both sides, if we play to our full potential!

Tonight (Wednesday) Daventry Town visit Leighton Buzzard to play Aylesbury United who ground share with Leighton Town.

On Saturday (8th March) travel to North Greenford United, then Daventry Town have three games at home in five days; Aylesbury United (Tuesday 11th March) Kettering Town (Thursday 13th March) and Slough Town (Saturday 15th March) at Communications Park.

Attendances at the club are beginning to increase as Daventry Town enter the final eight weeks of the season and the prospect of promotion or play – off qualification!

Jim Davis
Sports Writer

Match Facts:
Daventry Town 3 AFC Hayes 0
Saturday 1st March 2014
Competition: Calor League Central Division One
Location: Communications Park, Daventry
Daventry: Richard Morris, Ollie Wilkinson, Tom James, Liam Dolman, Ashley Deeney, Adam Confue, Ross Oulton, (Ryan Howell 64mis) Ashley Robinson, Luke Keen, Jimmy Husband (Mykel Beckley 84mins),Will Green (Josh O`Grady 48mins)
Goal scorers: Liam Dolman 11mins (Penalty), Tom James 39mins, Ashley Robinson 77mins
Man of the Match: Ollie Wilkinson
In the book: Yellow – Daventry: Ross Oulton 31mins Hayes: Red - Charlie Goode
Attendance: 141