Hendon came back from a goal down to beat relegation-haunted Hastings United 2-1 on Saturday afternoon as a very wet Pilot Field.

The game had been in some doubt due to the recent wet weather on the south coast, but a dry Friday plus a dry morning on the day of the game meant that the groundsman was able to get the pitch to a playable state.

His excellent work was rewarded when the match referee gave the go ahead for the game an hour before kick off.

Gary McCann made a couple of changes to the starting line up with Casey Maclaren and Dave Diedhiou replacing Darren Currie and Warren Goodhind. There was also a bit of a reshuffle with Carl McCluskey dropping into the back four.

The first half saw the home side begin the brighter, and they had their first chance in just the second minute when Danny Ellis fired straight at Berkley Laurencin - the first of a number of chances during the game that were directed straight at the Hendon keeper.

Both Alassane N'Diaye and Jack Dixon fired shots over the bar in the opening ten minutes, but aside from that it was Hendon who had the bulk of possession.

This continued throughout the first half, but the Greens were rarely able to break into the final third, and when they did, as has so often been the case this season the final ball was lacking.

Midway through the half, Casey Maclaren broke clear of his marker, Sean Ray, but instead of carrying the ball into the box he chose to cross but the ball was out of reach of the oncoming Diedhiou.

Moments later, Ray was replaced by Ben Judge having suffered an injury which explained his inability to keep up with Maclaren.

Despite having less possession, Hastings continued to pose more of a threat in front of goal, and they were rewarded in the 37th minute.

A Hendon defender failed to deal with the ball, slipping over in the process, and Sam Adams pounced to slam the ball into the net to give the home side the lead.

The Greens clearly took on board whatever was said to them in the dressing room at half-time as they immediately looked more threatening when the second period began.

Just two minutes into the half Diedhiou fired wide of the goal, and in the 53rd minute, Lee O'Leary laid the ball into the path of Kevin Maclaren, but his shot, which was arrowing into the goal, was blocked by the backside of Dean Cracknell.

However, the Greens didn't have to wait much longer for the equaliser. In the 57th minute Casey Maclaren saw his header parried by Daniel East, but McCluskey was the first to react and he was able to bundle the ball home by the post. It was a goal that the Greens deserved for their possession if nothing else.

On the hour mark, Diedhiou fired a drive at goal, but East was able to turn the ball aside for a corner. From the set-piece Sam Flegg headed the ball narrowly over the bar.

The Greens had a scare in the 75th minute when Scott Cousins directed the ball back towards his own goal, and Laurencin was forced into a superb save to avoid conceding an unfortunate goal.

Moments later, Ellis had what was probably the easiest chance of the game to score, but despite having plenty of time to pick his spot, he chose to fire the ball straight at Laurencin. It was a miss that he was to rue within ten minutes.

In the 86th minute the ball was fired into the crowded penalty area and Junior Lewis who had been introduced as a replacement for Lee O'Leary, fired the ball against the post. Casey Maclaren was first to the rebound and he was able to find the back of the net.

Hendon were then able to hold on to their lead without any major scares, and left the Pilot Field three goals to the good, and still unbeaten away from home in the league in 2013.

"All in all it was a very good display. It was a decent 90 minutes overall, but in the first half we lacked penetration even though we dominated possession," said a satisfied Gary McCann afterwards.

"We gifted them a goal just before half-time and we had to be more clinical in the second half as we chased the result.

"Dean Cracknell and Casey Maclaren put in a really good shift up front, while Carl McCluskey strolled the game at te centre of defence. In fact, all of the back four played really well."