Hendon missed out on a second opportunity to go to the top of the Ryman League Premier Division when they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Bedford Town on Saturday afternoon. With Billericay drawing with St Albans and Aldershot losing at home to Chesham, a win would have put Hendon top; instead the Greens fell to 4th.

Mark Cooper, Rob Haworth and Paul Yates returned to the starting line-up in place of Jamie Burgess (substitute) and groin injury victims Rob Hollingdale and Kieran Gallagher. In addition Hendon were also without Micky Woolner (personal reasons), Brian Haule (flu) and Dale Binns (groin operation).

This led to a change in formation which, it must be said, failed to do Hendon any good at all. It was another very disappointing performance from the Greens, who failed to trouble a Bedford defence which concedes an average of almost two goals per game.

The opening goal arrived after 17 minutes. A deep cross from Steve Jackman found Lee Howey leaping at the far post. Kevin Slinn headed the ball on and Rob MILLER was unmarked as he shot past David Hook.

Haworth was very unlucky to be cautioned by referee Mr G Evetts (Herts). A cross from Iain Duncan bounced towards the Bedford goal and Paul Covington and Steve Wilson were both slow to react. As goalkeeper Wilson gathered the ball, so he was caught by Haworth, who was perfectly entitled to go for what he saw as a loose ball.

In the 26th minute, Hendon's defence was again unhinged, but this time Carl Williams missed with what was almost a free header from close range.

In the 29th minute, a fine move, started on the right by Yates, continued by Martin Randall and Eugene Ofori, ended with Duncan firing a shot that beat Wilson, but curled just wide of the near post. It was Hendon's only real chance of the half.

In the 40th minute, the Eagles soared to an excellent second goal, but it was one that Hendon will not be happy about. Awarded a free-kick 8 yards from the angle of the penalty area, Yates' cross failed to get past the one-man (Eddie Lawley) wall.

Lawley's header fell to Miller, who launched a long pass downfield towards the sprinting Mark Paul. He beat the last Hendon defender and slid the ball across the penalty area to SLINN, who made no mistake from inside the penalty area.

For the second half, Hendon reverted to their preferred formation and introduced Burgess at the expense of Ofori. The Greens certainly looked more comfortable, but they were hardly more penetrative.

In the 51st minute, Duncan whistled a shot just past the angle of post and crossbar, but Hendon were yet to put an effort on target. This finally arrived in the 68th minute, when he curled a free-kick into the arms of Wilson, who was well positiioned to make the comfortable catch.

Ricci Crace had already replaced Haworth and he certainly caused the Bedford defence more inconvenience than either of the starting strikers. A burst down the right wing by Crace led to a great chance for Randall, but he got under the ball and ballooned it over the bar.

In the 81st minute, Hendon won their first header in the Bedford penalty area. Yates rose at the back post to meet a cross from substitute Sam Byfield, but he could not get quite high enough and the ball went over the bar.

As the game moved into stoppage time, Crace again discomfited the Eagles. He had too much pace for Covington, who pulled him back as he entered the penalty area. Mr Evetts unfortunately did not get a clear view of the incident and neither did his assistant.

A converted penalty (and possible red card for Covington) would have been the most that Hendon deserved.

"We looked so far off the pace today that we looked tired," admitted manager Dave Anderson, who also accepted responsibility for the failed formation change, explaining, "I wanted to get my best available 11 players on the pitch and thought that this was the best way.

"We are not the most talented team in the League, and we have relied on our workrate to get us where we are. If our workrate is not good then we are ordinary."