Hendon pulled themselves out of the bottom four of the Ryman League Premier Division and all but ensured Slough Town's relegation with this victory at Claremont Road on Monday night.

Fantastic work by the groundsman made the pitch not only playable but it also held up exceptionally well given the battering of rain it received not only on the day before the game, but also during two squally first-half showers and a heavy downpour during the second half.

The Greens made only one change to the starting team which had lost narrowly on Saturday, Chris Robinson coming in for Dean Green, but 17-year-old Franklyn Morris, a product of Hendon's Sunday youth teams got his first call-up and James Parker passed a fitness test to join him on the bench.

With a gale-force wind blowing at their backs, Hendon had to take advantage in the first half and it took all of 90 seconds for Slough goalkeeper Carl Dennison to distinguish himself. He turned aside a Belal Aiteouakrim free-kick that was rocketing goalwards.

All too often the wind proved just too strong for the Hendon attack to control passes forward, but they were sure to get the ball back quickly because Slough could do nothing going forward. Hendon keeper Richard Wilmot touched the ball no more than five times in the opening 45 minutes.

The breakthrough for Hendon came after 16 minutes, Aiteouakrim shooting home after good approach work from Jamie Busby and Brian Haule. It was his third goal in three games.

Dennison produced another magnificent save to keep out an effort from O'Sullivan, but Hendon could do nothing with a succession of corners, one of which from the same player was aimed at the penalty spot, but blew behind the goal, swerving some 15 yards in the air.

The second and decisive goal came nine minutes before hal--time. Davis Haule scored it, but it was an excellent passing move, involving Chris Robinson, Craig Vargas and Aiteouakrim, before the ball was laid into Haule's path. His shot may have gone through Dennison's legs, but it was struck very firmly and early.

Although their two goals came in the first half, Hendon's performance in the second period was much more assured and better. Lee O'Leary and Busby were outstanding in midfield and the passing out of defence, under the wind, was excellent.

Slough had one cross which Wilmot struggled to tip over the crossbar as it blew goalwards after 48 minutes, but that was the closest they came to scoring. Whereas Hendon had enjoyed probably 85 per cent of possession in the opening period, after the break, it was in the region of 50-50 and certainly the better chances went Hendon's way.

Mention must also be made of the performances of Rakatahr Hudson and Marc Leach, the central defensive pairing, who stood firm in exceptionally difficult conditions. Rarely did they resort clearing the ball anywhere, more often than not, it was a measured pass to a team-mate, allowing Hendon the chance to build.

Aiteouakrim was denied by two more brilliant saves from Dennison, and Leach also could not believe a save made by the young keeper. Darragh Duffy came on for his Hendon debut late on and showed some potential.

"I thought we played really well tonight," said manager Gary McCann. "I can't even complain about the finishing, although we scored only two goals, because their keeper produced six stunning saves."