Hendon made it two wins out of three with a 3-1 victory over Ryman League Premier Division newcomers VCD Athletic. The Greens were not entirely convincing, but still did more than enough against a team that is still adjusting to the higher level.

For the third game in a row, the Hendon starting eleven was the same, although James Fisher and Tony Taggart came onto the subs bench at the expense of Richard Worrell and Max McCann.

It took a while for both teams to put together a move of note and the first chance fell to VCD, but Leigh Bremner headed over the crossbar from a good position, following a right wing cross.

Soon after, Hendon felt they should have had a penalty when Kezie Ibe worked himself in front of the defender, controlled the ball, but was then pulled back and to the ground. The referee, perfectly positioned, saw no foul.

Midway through the first half, Leon Smith ran onto a through ball from Lee O'Leary, controlled the ball and drilled it past Nick Blue. He was distinctly unfortunate to see the ball crash off the inside of the near post, then loop across the face of the goal before bouncing just beyond the opposite upright.

The Greens then had an escape when the late arriving Karl Dent found himself in acres of space when a cross reached him. He tried to place the ball just inside the angle of post and crossbar, but hit the bar.

In the last minute of the first half, Hendon when a Sam Murphy cross was met by IBE. His stooping header was perfectly directed to give Blue almost no chance of making a save.

Concerned at the way the Vickers were getting joy down their right side, the Hendon management team changed the formation for the second half, and the Greens - bedecked in royal blue, looked much better.

Midway through the second half, Hendon doubled their lead thanks to Murphy. A move down the left wing tore open the VCD defence. Blue was quickly off his line, but his sliding kick sent the ball straight to Murphy.

The midfielder was 35 yards from goal when he controlled the ball and curled it towards the unguarded target. Blue was only a spectator as Grant Basey tried to deal with the dropping ball, but was not tall enough.

Legg was forced into his first meaningful save of the game in the 68th minute. He was quick to come across his goal to smother Ellis Green's attempt.

Possibly Hendon's best passage of play in the game almost resulted in Smith getting on the scoresheet. Almost every player had a touch before the ball fell to Smith, but Blue made an excellent low save.

A needlessly conceded foul by Dave Diedhiou gave the Vickers a lifeline with eight minutes remaining. The free-kick was taken by Ahmed Deen, who curled the ball just inside his right post, though Legg appeared to get two good hands onto the ball, but could not keep it out.

It might have set up a nervous final few minutes for the Greens, but they were not unduly concerned. And, with nine seconds of the three minutes of additional time remaining, the result was made safe when Aaron Morgan - on for Smith - fired inside the post from 15 yards.

Hendon manager Gary McCann was satisfied with the result. "The harder you work, the more disciplined you become and I was pleased with our effort and energy today.

"It wasn't a vintage performance by any means, but I thought we certainly deserved to win. I am pleased with the overall performance, but it certainly can be better.

"We decided to change the formation because I wasn't happy with the way things had gone in the first half."