The OHAFC 1st XI produced a superb first half display to take a 2-0 lead over Division One leaders Brentwood on Saturday and then hung on at the death as the visitors pressed for a late equaliser.

Skipper Ed Poulter was able to call on his predecessor Quentin Baker for the first time this season and fellow midfielder Dan Firoozan was down from University meaning a strong squad of thirteen was named for the vital encounter.

Despite the first drizzle of the season and a noticeable breeze blowing away from the Alcock Pavilion, the Philathletic pitches remain in superb condition and there was no excuse for either side in that respect.

The hosts began the game brightly and soon settled into their play with striker Harry Hoffen, who has been frustrated since scoring twice against Wellington at the end of September, looking as keen as ever up front.

Despite failing to create any chances of note, the Blues were clearly the better side and probed through wide men Firoozan on the left and Trower on the right. At the back, the Harrow back four looked in control, one outstanding dribble from the Brentwood left-winger aside, who somehow weaved his way through four challenges before just about being held up as he approached the penalty area.

After twenty-five minutes the hosts got the goal their play deserved when Jack Hill doggedly won the ball in midfield, squared to Baker and he played a ball through for Harry Hoffen to run onto. Although the pass was overhit, the Brentwood centre half and goalkeeper dallied momentarily allowing Hoffen to run on and block the 'keeper's attempted clearance. The ball rolled free into the box and Harry reacted quickest to steer the ball into an empty net.

Buoyed by the goal, the hosts continued to play with confidence and scored a splendid second ten minutes later to emphasise the gulf between the teams. Firoozan collected the ball from Hill on the left-wing and flicked a neat pass inside to Baker, who returned the ball to him first-time. The Durham University student got the to byline, looked up and cushioned a pass to the edge of the box for the onrushing Hill to hit. The youngster didn't panic, opening his body to superbly sidefoot the ball first-time into the roof of the net and send the watching Harrow supporters into raptures.

In fairness to the visitors, they reacted strongly to going 2-0 down and were the better side for the ten minutes before the break, Harrow's passing going disappointingly awry.

Despite this, the Blues had an outstanding chance to put the game to bed thanks to another excellent move involving Baker and Hoffen, who exchanged several passes, the striker being set free down the right to cross for the midfielder to head just over the bar.

No changes were made at half-time and for the opening ten minutes of the second half the hosts looked in full control, enjoying the bulk of possession and rarely being troubled at the back.

As the half wore on however, the home side's passing once again began to falter and the visitors gradually began to look the more threatening team. Several times Harrow put themselves in trouble with failed clearances or hurried passes out from the back, inviting further pressure on the Harrow goal.

Referee George Patriche booked a Brentwood player for diving inside the box and also issued a yellow to Sert for hauling down his man as he drove towards the box.

With ten minutes remaining Brentwood began to send more men forward and panic set in among the Harrow ranks, with the passing now frenzied and ragged. Tempers began to fray and for the closing stages it was a case of hanging on for dear life.

The visitors did give themselves some hope when they scored from a corner with five minutes remaining, Fraser McGuiness in the Harrow goal having made a superb diving save to his left minutes earlier.

But the hosts hung on to deservedly win the points and move above their opponents into top spot of Division One - a late red card for a Brentwood midfielder for kicking out at Hill having little impact. Harrow have now played the three sides immediately below them: next week they face sixth-placed Radley, again on the Hill.