Goal: Sani 22’.

Guernsey were narrowly edged out at Hayes & Yeading on Saturday afternoon.

The Green Lions fought hard and restricted their hosts to very few clear-cut chances, but in truth lacked any sort of cutting edge up from to trouble the United defence without the likes of Ross Allen, Matt Loaring and Charlton Gauvain, and didn’t ever trouble Juliusz Pazio in the home goal.

The pattern of the game was consistent throughout, with Hayes continually probing and GFC remaining relatively firm.

After a quiet opening 20, Kaylen Hinds lifted just over the top outside the area after Tom Vaudin was a little too casual on the ball and the hosts pounced on a hurried clearance.

But it was just moments before the opening goal as Jude Mason swung in a cross to the back post, with George Sippetts cushioning the ball across goal for Jose Sani to tap in from almost on the line.

Apart from a couple of set pieces, Guernsey’s first real attack came around the half-hour, a neat move on the right, Niall Hainsworth drove inside and slipped a ball behind the defence for the run of Fin du Port, but the angle was against him and he could only hit the side netting. Sam Murray also collected a loose ball 25 yards out but scuffed well wide as he tried to take it early.

James Richmond stooped to head wide from a corner just before half-time and Sippetts was off target from the edge of the box after being presented with an opening.

A neat move early in the second half saw the hosts work their way into the box but luckily Kaylen Hinds dragged his volley wide when trying to pick out the far corner. The Green Lions were breathing a sigh of relief again moments later as Murray blocked a flick-on on the line.

Chances were generally at a premium in the second half. Substitute Adrian Clifton should have made the game safe in the 90^th minute as GFC couldn’t clear their lines and Hinds teed him up, but he volleyed over the top from just a couple of yards out.

Luckily for him, it didn’t matter the Green Lions dropped back into the relegation zone, but still have games in hand.

Saturday’s other results were as follows: Ascot United 1-1 Southall, Badshot Lea 1-2 Moneyfields, Farnham Town 2-1 Uxbridge, Harrow Borough 0-0 Kingstonian, Metropolitan Police 3-0 Horndean, Rayners Lane 0-2 Hanworth Villa, Raynes Park Vale 1-1 Leatherhead, South Park (Reigate) 3-3 Binfield, Westfield 1-0 Hartley Wintney.

HAYES & YEADING UNITED: 1 Juliusz PAZIO; 5 Keano ROBINSON (c); 6 James RICHMOND; 7 Jose SANI (14 Adrian CLIFTON, 75‘); 9 George SIPPETTS (2 Ibrahim BANGURA, 82‘); 10 Kaylen HINDS; 11 Jude MASON; 12 Wraynel HERCULES; 16 Jack McKNIGHT; 17 Amos NASHA (8 Herson Alves, 52’); 18 Tyler HAYLES (20 James COMLEY, 82‘). Not used: 15 Will SALMON.

Booked: McKnight, Hercules.