Hendon were distinctly relieved to hear the final whistle at Vale Farm on Thursday night after they had received a second-half battering from in-form East Thurrock United. The Greens did not muster a single noteworthy attempt in the second 45 minutes.

Amongst the numerous changes from Saturday's draw with Lewes, Warren Goodhind came in at centre-back alongside Sam Flegg, while Darren Currie returned in midfield.

The first half was a very entertaining and open affair, with both teams creating half-openings. Kevin Maclaren did his usual sound job protecting the tired back-four, while Howard Hall's attacking exploits forced former Greens player Sam Collins to play deeper.

These tactics helped to stifle the powerful East Thurrock midfield and allowed Dean Cracknell to play a slightly more advance role in support of Carl McCluskey, the lone striker

The Rocks tried their luck from long-range on a couple of occasions, but Sean Thomas was able to watch the efforts sail well wide or over the target. Gradually, Soctt Cousins, Currie and Jack Connors got things working down the left flank and, in the 18th minute a cross was headed out for a corner on the opposite side.

Cousins curled in the corner and Cracknell and, in the organised chaos which followed, Cracknell beat Elliott Justham, but saw his effort strike the crossbar and bounce away to safety.

East Thurrock then enjoyed a period of pressure and Kye Ruel really should have done better with his shooting opportunity from 25 yards. Set up by a good knock-down from Sam Higgins, he blasted the ball high over the crossbar.

A rare moment of defensive indecisiveness in the Hendon penalty area nearly gifted the Rocks a goal. Flegg misplayed a ball but Thomas was alert to the situation and made a very good low save. Higgins then saw a 39th-minute attempt well saved by the goalkeeper.

Play moved to the other end and, three minutes before the interval, Scott Cousins came desperately close to scoring when he ran onto a ball rolling across the penalty area after some excellent approach play by the Greens. His drive was arrowing towards the top corner, until Justham dived full length to tip the ball away.

Whatever John Coventry said to his charges in the Rocks' dressing room at half-time had the desired effect, because they came out for the second period with renewed vigour and took complete control of the match.

East Thurrock forced Hendon to play deeper and deeper, leaving McCluskey an isolated figure up front. However, the defence rose to the occasion superbly and, for all their possession and territorial advantge, the Rocks had few, if any, clear openings.

In the 60th minute, Hendon made a rare foray into the East Thurrock half, and again, the combination of Cousins, Currie and Connors caused the visitors' defence some problems. When the ball was to Cracknell, just outside the box, he appeared to be taken down as he made space, but the referee let play continue.

Ruel wasted another good shooting opportunity, firing high over the crossbar, as the East Thurrock defenders began to get frustrated at their forwards' inability to make Thomas work or - better - beat him.

James Lawson replace Ruel just after the hour mark as East Thurrock became more direct, but Flegg and Goodhind did a superb job in keeping Higgins and David Bryant very quiet. Collins' distribution from the left side was not as crisp as it has been on previous occasions.

Fifteen mintues from the end, the Maclaren brothers switched, with Casey coming on and he was joined by Dave Diedhiou, in relief of O'Leary. At the same time, Bryant made way for L'Heureux Menba.

The last change saw Kambo Smith take over from McCluskey for the final few minutes and he did actually get off a shot at goal. Simon Peddie, however, had been shadowing him and was able to block the shot before it had gone more than a yard or so.

Hendon manager Gary McCann said, "On the second half display, that was definitely a point gained. I thought we just about shaded the first half, but they dominated the second.

"We shouldn't have looked as tired as we did, because East Thurrock had played on Tuesday, but they had much more energy than we did. That said, our defensive discipline in that second half was outstanding.

"The squad is very thin at the moment, so I am going to have to monitor the minutes and game time for the players."