Hendon all but guaranteed their Ryman League Premier Division survival with a last-gasp winning goal at Boreham Wood on Wednesday night. Brian Haule's header in the final minute of second half stoppage time was greeted by joyous scenes on and off the pitch.

Following Monday's disappointment in the Middlesex Senior Cup Final, there were four changes to the starting line-up, with Mark Kirby, James Parker, Brian Haule and Glenn Garner replacing Marc Leach, Kevin Maclaren, Harry Hunt and Lubomir Guentchev, with only the suspended Maclaren not on the bench (brother Casey ensured the Maclaren name remained on the team-sheet).

There cannot be enough praise of Hendon for this performance. Most of the 11 starters were playing their third game in five days, Hendon's 14th since 28 February, a desperately tough schedule. The team battled heroically and showed their never-say-die spirit by being on top at the end of another gruelling enounter.

Hendon had looked tired and jaded during the loss to AFC Hayes but apart from the first 15 minutes of each half, the Greens more than held their own. Boreham Wood were on a high after their shock victory at champions Dover Athletic on Saturday, but they didn't create a great deal. On a few occasions they did find openings, but their shooting was wayward to say the least and William Viner did not have to make a save of note in the match.

Having weathered the early pressure, Hendon's passing game gradually became dominant and Wood struggled to cope with the strength of Garner and the eager running of Sam Collins.

Those two created Hendon's best chance of the first half, a Collins cross being met by Garner. Simon Overland was well beaten by Garner's header, but it was just off target and bounced outside the left upright. Hendon forced a succession of free-kicks and corners around the Boreham Wood penalty area, but the deliveries into the danger area were not of the highest quality and the home defence had little trouble in dealing with them.

Garner and Haule were themselves frequently penalised when they made challenges for the ball and they grew a little frustrated when similar contact on them by defenders went unpunished. When the half-time whistle blew, it was the home team who were more grateful for the chance to rest and regroup.

Boreham Wood started the second half in purposeful mood, but James Burgess, Kirby, Parker and Craig Vargas were more than equal to anything Wood threw at them. Sean Sonner, a thorn in the Hendon side in the reverse fixture over Christmas, was a peripheral figure and he barely contributed.

In midfield, Jamie Busby and James Bent worked tirelessly in keeping the probing Lewis Cook quiet, leaving Wes Daly and Mario Noto to forage for possession too close to their own penalty area to cause Hendon difficulties. As a result the Greens remained fairly comfortable, even if they didn’t look much more likely to break the deadlock.

In the 65th minute, Garner tried his luck with a 30-yard shot. It was low and swerving, but Overland was equal to it, making a fine diving save to his left. The resulting corner was not cleared with the greatest of conviction, but eventually the danger was averted.

Five minutes later, Garner went on a typically bustling run through a couple of defenders. At the last moment Ryan Kirby stuck out a foot and did enough to put off Garner and another worrying moment for Wood was survived. Almost immediately, Garner signalled to the bench that he was spent and, a minute later, Hunt replaced him.

Hendon were awarded a free-kick 15 yards outside the penalty area, in a relatively central position. It was probably a bit too far out for a shot at goal, but there was no angle for a cross. The ball was well struck by Busby, but Overland was grateful to gather the ball just before it bounced, especially as Hunt and Haule were on prowl for a possible rebound.

With three minutes of normal time remaining, Collins went off to be replaced by Guentchev. They youngster immediately got in a dangerous cross from the right wing, but Curtis Ujah was able to clear.

The match was already well into the two minutes of time added on when Hendon forced another corner. The ball was only half cleared and Peter Dean, who had been unflashy working hard just behind the front two, got to the ball first.

Kevin Stephens was beaten with a neat turn and Dean then crossed the ball. Haule ran towards the middle of the goal, stopped and moved towards the far post, six yards out. His marker, Kirby, didn't follow him and thus was out of position and Dean's pinpoint cross found Haule.

Having missed an almost identical chance in the 2-1 defeat against AFC Hornchurch, Haule this time made no mistake. His delicately cushioned header looped into the roof of the net, just inside the angle of the far post and crossbar. Overland barely dived for the ball, knowing he was beaten.

A glance at the watch showed that less than 50 seconds of stoppage time remained as the ball bounced down from the net over the goalline and it signalled a massive celebration in the right corner by players and supporters alike. The referee eventually needed four blasts of his whistle to break up Hendon's celebrations, but the importance of the goal could not be overstated.

Boreham Wood launched one final, vain attack, but the ball was cleared out for a throw-in 35 yards from the Hendon goal and there wasn't time for the ball to go back towards the Greens box.

An emotional Hendon manager Gary McCann said, "I cannot say enough about this group of players. I was so low after Monday night and I feared the worst in the first 15 minutes. But our back four was excellent and I don’t think Will Viner had to deal with anything other than efforts down his throat.

"The team battled for the whole of the game and our passing was superb. There were times we passed them off the park. We are all but safe now, but I want to go unbeaten for the rest of the season."