Hendon ended their troubled Ryman League Premier Division campaign with a heavy defeat against Bognor Regis Town, the team which succeeded the Greens as League runners-up. In their last three visits to Nyewood Lane, Hendon have been beaten 3-0, 4-1 and, now, 4-0.

With Finnbar Robins available only for a bench place and Sam Flegg unavailable, Sam Murphy and Luke Tingey returned to the starting line-up. As well as Robins, Tony Taggart and Scott Cousins were available only in emergency, alongside Brandon Adams and Nyv Bogaire.

Bognor entered the match knowing that if Hampton & Richmond Borough lost to play-off hunting Enfield Town and they won 4-0, the title would be going to West Sussex. With such a huge incentive, it was hardly surprising they started with attack in mind.

In the opening minute, Doug Tuck won a header and knocked it down for Jason Prior. His strike beat Joe Wright all ends up, but the ball cannoned off the foot of a post and away to safety.

Two minutes later, however, Prior would not be denied. Conor Tighe won a corner which was curled into the danger area by Dan Beck. Prior rose highest and planted a header past Wright’s dive.

Hendon thought they had equalised a few minutes later when Keagan Cole had the ball in the Bognor net. The celebrations were stilled by the referee's whistle for a foul in the build-up.

The superb surface allowed both teams to play football and chances came and went at both ends. Tighe did well to get to the bye-line, but his attempted cross was blocked.

Then Kezie Ibe was put through on goal with only Grant Smith to beat. The goalkeeper won the dual making a fine save.

In the 25th minute, Bognor doubled their lead when a long ball downfield by Tuck caused a disagreement between Wright and the covering defender. Neither dealt with the ball and Alfie Rutherford nipped between them to score from an acute angle.

And things nearly got worse for the Greens almost immediately as a Stuart Green cross was met by Prior. This time his header was blocked by a Hendon defender.

Hendon were still showing the odd flash of attacking inspiration. From one such break, Beck took a yellow card for the team as he stopped it illegally. The Greens then had to make a change - and a reshuffle as Casey Maclaren went off and Brandon Adams replaced him.

Just before half-time, Prior scored his second of the afternoon. Tighe created with the first cross to the far post and James Crane cut the ball back from there into Prior's path.

The home fans were delighted their team had almost completed their part of the bargain, especially news filtered through of a goalless first half in the game at the Beveree.

The second half started like the first, with Bognor coming close to scoring in the opening minute. Tighe’s astute through ball sent Green through with a good chance, but a covering defender blocked the ball.

Despite dominating the game and needing only one more goal, the Rocks became over-eager and the thought that more haste less speed was hindering them. Green and Tighe both had two chances to grab that fourth goal, the latter shooting when Prior was in a better position, and Wright doing well to block Tighe.

Wright produced an even better save to keep out and effort from Rocks' sub Gary Charman, this after a slick passing move had opened up the the Hendon defence. Finally, with a little over a minute of time, Hendon’s brave rearguard was breached as Tighe shot low into the corner after controlling the ball at the far post.