Pitmen victory puts Eagles into the play-offs

​Eagles boss Harry Smart was forced into one change from the side that won at Scarborough over the weekend, Sonnie Davis coming in for the unavailable Tarik Gidaree.

The first talking point of the game came in the sixth minute when Alfie Thornett and Dylan Mottley-Henry collided in the Bedford area, although the penalty shouts were waved away.

On 17 minutes, Josh Castiglione’s attempt was diverted behind by Will Murdock for a corner, as midway through the half, the visitors were awarded a spotkick when Lewis Franklin was adjudged to have pushed George Ward, only for Ahkeem Rose to strike his attempt against the post.

Bedford then had the lead on 31 minutes when Davis’s run on the left wing ended with a cross that George Williams smashed into his own net.

Smart’s side kept up the pressure, as new signing Danny Anisjko, the Latvian U21 international who has joined on a month’s loan from Chesterfield, saw his cross elude everyone in the area.

A double substitution at half time for the Pitmen signalled the intention by boss Kelvin Davis, father of the Bedford defender, to mix things up, and it worked.

From the start of the second period, the away side rushed out of the blocks to try and overturn the deficit, as one of the replacements Sonny Sharples, was narrowly off target from 20 yards.

Jamie Cooke then whipped in a dangerous ball from the left, with no one in the area to take advantage, as Eagles keeper Laurie Walker had to be alert to deflect Joel Taylor’s cross behind.

Having survived the first part of the half, Bedford then came back with a corner of their own, but it came to nothing, while Walker found George Moncur on the right wing, and following a bit of magic that saw him get past two defenders, David Hicks fired behind.

Another slice of luck went Bedford’s way at the next Hednesford corner, as Williams powered a header against the bar, and as it rebounded away, it hit the head of a defender before looping just over for another set-piece.

During the latter stages, Lenni Cirino went down in the area, but the referee waved play on, while Walker denied a venomous curling effort from Omari Sterling-James.

As the game entered stoppage time, the Bedford defence closed ranks, as an almighty scramble ensued, before the danger was cleared.

Town have another tough clash this weekend they host fourth-placed Macclesfield.

» ​Bedford Town bounced back from their disappointing FA Cup exit with a fine 2-1 National League North victory at Scarborough Athletic on Saturday.

David Hicks was the main man for Bedford early on, shooting just wide, as the visitors took the lead on 14 minutes, George Moncur firing a low free kick past Joe Payne and into the net.

Hicks skied another opportunity over the bar, as the Seadogs then put the pressure on, and were level when William Thornton placed his header beyond keeper Laurie Walker.

Eagles remained solid at the back, and threatened a second themselves, Payne and Lewis Franklin forcing saves from Ryan Whitley.

After the break, Moncur couldn’t beat the home stopper, while Walker had to be alert with 15 minutes to go, fingertipping Mo Fadera’s effort over.

Alexander Wiles then shot wide as well, before Bedford had a penalty on 80 minute after Franklin was upended by Thornton, Moncur able to find the net for his ninth of the season.

During the closing stages, Walker clawed a Scarborough free kick away as the Eagles held firm for victory.