Hendon slipped off the top of the Ryman League Premier Division after a second straight lacklustre performance, this time at home to Northwood on Tuesday night.

Only one goal separated the teams again, but the most disappointing aspect of the evening was the loss of discipline. Eugene Ofori, joint-top scorer this season with the already suspended Mark Nicholls, is now looking at a three-match ban following his red card 15 minutes from time. In addition, Richard McDonagh was fortunate to stay on the pitch following his lunge at Dean Clark moments before half-time.

Dave Hunt took over from Anthony Robinson, with Usif Bangura joining Ofori up front, in the only change to the starting 11. Robinson was joined on the bench by Mark Burgess, making his return from an ankle injury two weeks ago.

Unfortunately the changes didn't improve Hendon's shape and an eager Northwood, despite kicking into a strong wind, looked to have much more appetite for the contest than the Greens. That said, Hendon should have taken the lead after 11 minutes, when Ofori beat the offside trap but fired wastefully into the side-netting at Rob Bullivant's near post with the wide part of target being largely vacant.

Three minutes later, Dave King made a rare error, misjudging a long free kick from Clark. The goalkeeper could make no contact with the ball and an unmarked Jonny MOORE scored from an acute angle beyond the far post.

Ten minutes later, King was injured in a challenge with Danny Jordan and was only able to continue after receiving lengthy treatment. He could not take goal-kicks after the incident.

Hendon were trying to play their neat passing football and Northwood were happy to let them do so, until the ball reached the final third of the pitch. Thereafter, everything was contested fiercely and the Woods definitely had the edge on hunger for the ball.

Frustration blew up in the shape of McDonagh's challenge on Clark ten yards outside the Northwood penalty area. The referee was very lenient in showing the Hendon player only a yellow card and he had only a quick word with Clark, who had reacted - with some justification it must be said - to the challenge.

Seven minutes into the second half, the ineffective Bangura was replaced by Robinson, and Martin Vrhovski's introduction, for the equally unsuccessful Hunt, came in the 58th minute, indications of manager Tony Choules' dissatisfaction at the events unfolding in front of him.

It took until the 63rd minute for Hendon to actually try a shot at goal, a 25-yard effort from Vrhovski that Bullivant saved with ease.

Three minutes later, all the pretty passing paid off because Ofori and Robinson combined to be running in on goal with only one defender in front of them. Maybe Robinson would have been better served to hit an early shot from just inside the penalty area.

Instead he struck a firm pass that Ofori needed a touch to control, before lifting the ball over Bullivant. It took just too long because former Hendon triallist Stuart Reeks was able to hack the ball off the line.

In the 74th minute, Moore and Luke Evans combined to shepherd a through ball into Bullivant's arms, blocking off Ofori legitimately. Ofori, equally legitimately, attempted to get his boot to the ball, but succeeded only in bundling the two defenders over the goalkeeper.

Evans was angry at Ofori's attempt and faced him off, lowering his head towards him while the two players jawed at each other. In frustration, Ofori lashed out at Evans, who again lowered his head. The referee called Ofori to him and showed him the red card.

With ten men, Hendon continued to attack, but the impetus was definitely with Northwood and King produced a number of excellent saves to keep the score at it was.

At the other end, an overhead kick by David Nolan was headed clear by Evans as Robinson closed in, but the there was more chance of Northwood extending their lead than Hendon getting an equalizer.

"We lost our discipline tonight," admitted a furious Mr Choules. "I didn't think we were at the races all night long. That performance was completely unacceptable and I will be addressing it on Thursday."