Hendon made it two wins out of two, netting the game's only goal in the final six minutes of the 90, to defeat Billericay Town at Vale Farm on Tuesday. There was little to choose between the two teams in a close contest, but it was the Blues who probably created the better chances, despite the fact that they have yet to register a League goal this term.

The Greens are one of just four clubs in the Ryman League Premier Division with a 100 per cent record after two games, and they are one of just two teams not to have conceded a goal.

Dartford's four-goal demolition of Margate gives them a plus-five goal difference, one better than Hendon's, so one of the preseason favourites for the title moved to the top of the table by a single goal, with Hendon second and Carshalton Athletic and AFC Hornchurch close behind.

James Parker's injury on Saturday meant Marc Leach retained his place in the middle of the back four and he was paired with James Burgess, who earned a call-up when Mark Kirby pulled out with flu. Wayne O'Sullivan also got a starting role at the expense of Brian Haule, who dropped to the bench.

Part of the reason Greens boss Gary McCann is so bullish about the season is the way that he has been able to keep his squad together. Eight out of the 17 on duty - six starters - this night had been in the Hendon squad for the match six games into last season - when Hendon lost 1-0; for Billericay, however, only one of last season's starting 11 remained as a starter.

The early minutes were spent with both teams probing for weaknesses and finding few, if any. Chris Sullivan had the first chance, but the Billericay wide man made the angle harder for himself before shooting and he fired the ball wide of the target.

In the 18th minute, James Bent tried his luck from 20 yards out. It was a powerful low shot which Andy Walker blocked with his chest and he dived on the rebound as Yacine Hamada ran in.

Dave Diedhiou had Hendon's best chance of the half, a header from a corner after 23 minutes. It was almost a free header, but a Billericay defender did just enough to put off Diedhiou and the ball bounced wide of the goal.

Four minutes later, at the other end, Joe Flack had a much clearer opportunity with his head to meet a cross from the right wing. He also failed to hit the target much to the disappointment of the contingent of fans behind the goal.

James Reading twice had to leave his goal to head clear through balls that would not have reached his penalty area before onrushing Billericay forwards. From the second of these, Jamie Dormer tried an audacious 45-yard drive that wasn't particularly powerful, but Kevin Maclaren blocked the ball even though Reading would almost certainly have been able to make a save.

The Hendon defence had to work hard in the second half and, in the main, coped admirably with the dangerous, Flack, Billy Bricknell and Spencer Knight. Both Diedhiou and Craig Vargas made important interventions and the Greens were fortunate, too, that neither Bricknell nor Flack were playing the confidence that they have previously displayed.

Hendon's best chances had come to nought, three times the result of offside decisions from the assistant referee. Mr Walshe was clearly correct with the first and last of these and he deserved at least the benefit of the doubt with the middle one, which ended with Peter Dean lobbing the ball into the net.

That said, a chest-down by Flack after 75 minutes fell nicely for Bricknell, whose powerful shot on goal was well saved by Reading.

Hunt had just been cautioned for a late challenge after a high foot from Ian Wiles went unpunished when he was replaced by Haule, Dean having already come on for Hamada. Had the referee decided Wiles was guilty, he would have had a tough decision to make on a sanction.

Hendon were gradually taking control, although they had to be wary of quick counter-attacks, and Jamie Busby watched a shot loop off Ian Cousins before dropping just wide of the target.

There were just six minutes of normal time remaining when the Greens grabbed their winner. The move started down the left wing and Haule and O'Sullivan brought Vargas into play.

Haule got around the back of the Billericay defence and slid the ball across the face of the goal. O'Sullivan tried to get a touch but failed and the ball reached the late-arriving Dean, beyond the far post.

Dean drove the ball back, almost certainly making an attempt on goal. It was, fortunately for Hendon, inaccurate, going back across the penalty area. This time O'Sullivan made no mistake with his contact, diverting the ball just inside the far post with his left foot.

A couple of minutes later, Sam Berry came on for O'Sullivan, a defensive measure shoring up the centre of midfield. Billericay upped their efforts in search of a reply, but they found the Hendon defence in no mood to concede and, in truth, Ricay barely had an effort worth the name, despite just over four minutes of stoppage time.

"I am delighted with the win and the six points out of six," said Mr McCann. "It's the first time since I have been in charge that we have won our opening two games of the season.

"This was a match that we would probably have lost last season, and certainly not won, but this squad is the best and the deepest I have had in my time at Hendon.

"I looked along my bench this evening and thought that if the players starting the game weren't going to win the game for me, then the men sitting next to me certainly could. Tonight we were able to win despite having four senior players out."