Report: Hednesford Town 0 Brackley 2
Hednesford Town were left continuing their quest for a first home win of 2016 after losing to relegation rivals Brackley Town at Keys Park.
Two first-half goals were enough for the visitors to move three points ahead of Frank Sinclair's side as the Pitmen lost at home for the third consecutive Saturday.
The home side actually started the National League North game on the front foot and a good move in the fifth minute led to the first chance.
Kyle Perry whipped in a cross to Ahmed Obeng who was able to cushion the ball down to Phil Trainer but he blazed his effort over the bar.
In the 14th minute, Obeng had a chance of his own when Perry flicked the ball on to his fellow striker but Sam Hornby in the Brackley goal made a good save to deny him.
Brackley struck first after 19 minutes when Lee Ndlovu broke past Jack Truelove on the touchline.
Although his first shot hit the post. he managed to scramble the ball home despite the attention of three Hednesford players.
The Pitmen almost drew themselves level in the 34th minute as Kennedy Digie rose to head towards goal from a corner but Hornby was on hand to claw the ball away.
The visitors doubled their advantage when in the 38th minute ex-Hednesford duo Glenn Walker and Steve Diggin combined for the latter to fire home a second from a couple of yards out.
As the second-half progressed, it become clear that Brackley were content to sit in and let the Pitmen try and break them down as they looked to find a way back into the game.
That almost arrived in the 62nd minute when Shelton Payne cut inside and curled a delightful effort just inches wide of the far post.
Two minutes later, half-time substitute Thorley saw a driven effort from the edge of the box easily saved before a big talking point arrived in the 70th minute.
Winger Payne surged forward once again and as he made his way into the box defender Junior English leaned on him enough for him to go down inside the penalty area.
However, the referee felt that Payne had taken a dive and booked the Hednesford player instead.
Walker almost put a convincing gloss on the scoreline in the 72nd minute as he drove in a stinging shot from 30 yards, which Pitmen goalkeeper Dan Crane managed to palm behind for a corner.
In the end though, the two first-half goals would be enough for the visitors as they claimed all three points and moved out of the relegation zone.
