Late win at Long Buckby pushes Ampthill into second place

It was another late show from the Amps who scored a crucial 1-0 win with a goal in the last five minutes.

Town's trip up the motorway brought them six points in four days but they had to work hard for their victory at Station Road.

Their reward came in the dying minutes when they won a free kick and James Lauder's cross found the head of James Hatch who headed it back for Sam Holmes to head the winner past the keeper from 10 yards.

It was Holmes 16th strike of the season as Ampthill made it win number eight on their travels and the Amps moved into second place with Eaton Socon on cup duty.

Ampthill had served up four second half goals on Saturday to add some spice to their play off prospects with the 4-0 win over Desborough Town.

The Amps clinched their 10th home win of the campaign with all the goals coming after the interval in a sparking display against the Northants visitors.

Town did the double over Desborough after a 1-0 win at Braybrooks Road just before Christmas and after some uneven home form they produced some great football to clinch an emphatic win against last season's runners-up.

Town dropped home points last week against Irchester after being two up at the break but they sent their Northants compatriots packing with a four star second half show.

Desborough have games in hand on the league leaders but Town won the first half on points without finding the target but went nap in the second period.

Fred Knight brought a great save from young keeper Evans midway through the first half before going close with another effort while Danio Brown fired a shot into the side netting when well placed and saw a cross into the goalmouth go unpunished with no finish.

But the goals began to flow half in the second half and Fred Knight headed Town into the lead on 54 minutes when the Amps had two bites of the cherry from a corner and Sam Holmes deft centre was converted by Knight.

Danio Brown added the second on the hour from a free kick set piece before having another shot tipped away. Sam Holmes missed out with another opening but added the third from close in after Knight's through ball.

Desborough conceded six at Stotfold last Tuesday and there was more woe for them in Bedfordshire when Holmes linked up with James Hatch to set up number four late on.

Borough never gave up and Mitch Howe produced a flying stop to deny them a consolation goal. Yet it was a superb response from Town after the draw seven days earlier and they continue to track the top two in third place.

Town will be looking to end the month with their third victory in a row on Saturday when they host neighbours Shefford Town and Campton before going to Leighton Town reserves on Tuesday.