Hendon suffered a couple of late scares before completing their eighth away Ryman League Premier Division victory of the season. The 1-0 defeat of Billericay Town at New Lodge on Tuesday night saw the Greens return to ninth spot in the table, still 11 points off the playoffs.

With Jefferson Louis suspended, Adam Wallace came into the starting 11 to partner Anthony Thomas. New signing, Leon Smith = formerly of Wingate & Finchley - was named on the subs' bench and made his debut midway through the second half.

Billericay have had all sorts of problems with their pitch and had not staged a home game for six weeks. Even after three days without rain, there was a local referee's inspection at 3.00 pm and - then, 75 minutes before the kick-off, the match official spoke to both managers because of his concern with one particular area.

As Gary McCann and his Billericay counterpart, Craig Edwards, were very keen for the game to go ahead, the referee ruled that it could go on. Within a minute of the start, however, Edwards might have been having second thoughts.

Ross Fitzsimons delivered a long pass into the path of Thomas, who brought the ball under control and sent it forward for Wallace to chase. Wallace got the better of Matt Turpin, steadied himself, and lashed the ball into the net to give Hendon the lead.

The Blues had played only twice since the middle of December and Hendon tried to take full toll of their ring rust. Twice Wallace set up Thomas with good chances, but the striker failed to take them.

Gradually, however, Billericay came back into the game, and although Hendon were still easily the better team in the first half, it was a much closer contest. The Greens could have added to their lead - indeed they probably should have been out of sight - before half-time.

James Fisher and Casey Maclaren, anchoring the Hendon defence, were outstanding, while Jack Bennett and Chris Seeby worked hard down the flanks. Their link-work with Tony Taggart and Michael Bryan continued to cause Billericay problems, while they also stopped much of the danger when the Blues attacked.

Fitzsimons, whose loan spell from Crystal Palace has been extended for another four weeks, was not unduly busy, but there was a feeling that Hendon had to get a second goal. There were more than enough chances, but none were taken, and midway through the second half, Smith replaced Wallace.

Lee O'Leary and Kevin Maclaren, as they have done in recent weeks, did Trojan work in midfield, all this on a very difficult surface. With seven minutes to go, Michael Murray replaced the tiring Thomas.

A couple of minutes later, the Greens had the first of two lucky escapes, both coming from Billericay substitutes. First Joe Benjamin - who spent part of last season at Hendon on a dual registration basis with the Blues - turned and fired a shot which beat Fitzsimons, but not the crossbar. The rebound was ferried away to safety by a grateful defender.

Dave Diedhiou took over from Bryan, a move designed as much to waste time as to shore up the middle of the midfield. And all of Hendon's efforts nearly were undone in the dying seconds of additional time.

Isaac Layne made a powerful run from midfield. He got a clear sight of goal and drilled a shot which hit the inside of the post. The rebound again favoured Hendon, the ball bouncing directly into Fitzsimons' arms.

As soon as the goalkeeper had send the ball downfield, the referee blew the final whistle and it was a somewhat relieved group of Hendon players who walked off with the three points.