Hendon's inability to convert massive first half domination came back to haunt them in the second period and, in the end, they were a trifle fortunate to collect as much as a point from the 2-2 Ryman League Premier Division draw against Hitchin Town at LOOT Stadium on Saturday.

The Greens sorely missed the drive and presence of skipper Jon-Barrie Bates from Hendon's midfield. His place in the starting line-up went to Mark Cooper, who joined Paul Towler in the middle of the defence. Steve Butler took over Bates' role in midfield. In addition, fit-again Martin Randall and Byron Bubb replaced Leon Woodruffe and Dale Binns, respectively, both of whom were on the bench.

Bubb got the game off to a flying start. In the 5th minute, he picked up the ball just inside his own half and went on a mazy run past two defenders. Crace ran towards the ball but Bubb beat him to it and went past a third defender to leave him with a clear run at goal. Bubb took the ball around goalkeeper James Robinson, who failed in an attempt to bring him down. It did force BUBB wider than he wished to go, but his shot found the net after kissing both posts.

Having got off to this perfect start, Hendon really failed to capitalise. They created a hatful of openings, but very few were clear-cut chances. Paul Yates mishit a shot well wide with Crace open; Crace saw a tame, if well-directed, low shot saved by Robinson at full stretch; Bubb shot just wide with one shot and forced two saves from Robinson - one, from a free-kick, was comfortable, the other exceptional.

However, Hendon then allowed Hitchin back into the game in the 38th minute with some dreadful defending. Firstly, Cooper failed to clear when he had the opportunity. Then, having conceded a free-kick close to the goal-line near the corner flag, the Greens failed to cut out Ian Scott's cross, Mark Burke's header across goal and Shaun MARSHALL's shot into the net.

The equaliser galvanised Hendon and it took only 5 minutes for them to regain the lead. Again it was a long-range goal resulting from a long-ball - wind-assisted - out of defence. This time BUTLER beat Hitchin's offside trap and knocked the ball past the advancing Robinson as soon as the goalkeeper committed himself.

Kicking into the wind in the second half Hendon had two good chances to take a 2-goal lead. Crace miscontrolled the ball when in a good position, then Bubb shot wide.

After an hour, Hendon's defence pushed the self-destruct button in spectacular style. Needlessly conceding a corner, they failed to clear the first cross in, had a second chance to knock the ball away and didn't, then when the ball landed at Woolner's feet, he had time to compose himself before relieving the danger. Instead, the youngster panicked and laid a simple pass to Jon BONE who netted without ado.

The rest of the game was played mainly in Hendon's half. David Hook had a torrid time, making one good save, but occasionally struggling with his distribution and positioning.

After 69 minutes, in a rare Hendon attack, they should have been awarded a penalty. A corner seemed destined to be a free header for Butler until a Hitchin defender clattered into his back before the ball arrived. However, Mr Chris Turner (Herts) decided that a goal kick was the right decision.

Hendon boss Dave Anderson said after the game, "Even if (the free-kick for Hitchin's first goal) should have been a goal-kick, we should have cleared the ball earlier. You don't deserve to win games if you concede goals like the 2 that we did today. After they scored in the second half, I was happy to hang on for a point."