Goals: Karczewski 59′; Lynch 79′.

Guernsey were edged out by visitors Hartley Wintney on Saturday afternoon.

The Green Lions competed well but just lacked a bit of spark in attack and clear cut chances were at a premium. They survived a bit of a wobble in the first half to give a good account of themselves and it took an hour for the Row to force a way though, making the points safe late on as the gaps started to open up.

It is not one that Kevin Gilligan and Steve Sharman will dwell on, with Sutton Common Rovers at Footes Lane on New Year’s Day much the bigger fixture.

Play-off chasing Hartley started on the front foot and it took a timely slide from Jacob Fallaize to block a low shot from Tyler Hayles on 11 minutes. At this point, GFC were struggling to clear their lines or keep the ball, mistakes coming through a high press from the visitors.

The Sarnians grew into the game and Fin du Port’s low effort from outside the box swerved wickedly in front of Adam Melville in the Hartley goal, forcing him to parry rather than hold.

Conor Lynch was unlucky not to put his side in front midway through the half as he did well to bring down Hayles’s curling cross at the far post, but his rising effort rattled the crossbar and bounced to safety.

Good improvisation from Charlton Gauvain saw him pinch a ball from a crowd of legs near the right touchline and drive into a crossing position. His wicked delivery across the six yard box was almost inch perfect for the sliding Sam Murray, but Melville stuck out an arm to paw the ball away just before the Guernsey number nine could make contact.

George Winser curled just past the top-right corner from range with Josh Addison beaten, and Ben Acey was causing a nuisance at the other end with a driving run down the left. He played in Matt Loaring who rode a couple of challenges but couldn’t quite work the space for a clear shot at goal and his eventual effort was deflected wide.

It was honours even at the break but Hartley stepped up a gear after the break. Addison reacted quickly to push over a powerful rising drive from the edge of the box, but the visitors forced one home on the hour.

An initial effort from a corner was blocked at the near post but the second cross from the right byline was hung up high towards the far post, giving Seb Karczewski time to gather momentum on the run to leap high for a towering header down and into the net.

Hartley captain Liam Gavin almost looped a header into his own net in reply from a long Gauvain free-kick but Melville stretched just enough to help it over.

Along with Acey, Gauvain wants again was Guernsey’s biggest threat. He burst onto a switch from right to left and drove into the box before pulling the ball across goal beyond Melville. Murray was waiting to finish but a last-ditch slide from Gavin turned the ball behind. Their best chance of all came from the resulting corner as Murray found himself free at the far post to meet Gauvain’s corner, but his downward header bounced the wrong side of the upright.

Guernsey were taking more risks now and the spaces started opening up at the back. This helped the visitors seal the result with just over 10 minutes left as substitute Charlie Postance collected on the left of the area and sent the ball across the six-yard box to give Lynch a simple finish at the far post for 2-0.

Lynch sent another curler wide of the far post on 84 minutes but Guernsey kept going in an attempt to get back in it. Unfortunately, Hartley’s defence was too resolute and GFC could only create one more opening deep into injury time as a fine switch of play from du Port set Acey down the right. But as he entered the box, his low shot was deflected into the arms of Melville.

The Sarnians will remain 21^st on New Year’s Day regardless of their result against Sutton Common as Ashford Town managed a significant win over Harrow Borough, but GFC still have games in hand. Saturday’s other Isthmian South Central results were as follows: Ascot United 1-0 South Park (Reigate), Ashford Town 3-0 Harrow Borough, Farnham Town 2-1 Badshot Lea, Hayes & Yeading United 1-0 Sutton Common Rovers, Horndean 1-4 Binfield, Leatherhead 2-1 Southall, Metropolitan Police 0-1 Moneyfields, Rayners Lane 4-1 Westfield, Raynes Park Vale 3-0 Hanworth Villa, Uxbridge 2-1 Kingstonian.

HARTLEY WINTNEY: 1 Adam MELVILLE; 2 Ellis OSBORN (14 Aaron BURCHETT, 81’); 3 Calvin CAMARA; 4 Tom DRINKWATER; 5 Liam GAVIN (c); 6 Ross STEPNEY; 7 Mac FORD; 8 George WINSER (12 Sam BARTLETT, 81’); 10 Conor LYNCH; 11 Tyler HAYLES (17 Jack PENTON, 75’); 16 Seb KARCZEWSKI (9 Charlie POSTANCE, 67’). Not used: 15 Adan New.

Booked: Stepney, Windsor, Postance.