A goal midway through the second half by Kieran Gallagher gave United a deserved victory to keep them six points ahead of second place Sutton, although the London side had two games in hand. With goal difference marginally in the Ducks favour they had every chance of increasing the the advantage but, as with many visiting goalkeepers over the season, Gary McCann had an inspired game.

The opening half hour was tight and quiet, but thereafter the game certainly sprang to life. Hendon had started without injured leading scorer Paul Whitmarsh and his replacement Tony Kelly should have put them in front but sent a free header well over the bar.

From the goal-kick United raided down the right flank and Kieran Gallagher crossed for Steve Butler to crash a header against the bar. As Gary Crawshaw went for the ball he was pushed by Steve Bateman and the referee gave a penalty. Crawshaw's spot-kick came back off a post and Mike Bignall's follow-up was blocked by McCann. Two minutes from the interval Ian King picked out Bignall with a cross and his strong six yard header forced McCann into an excellent flying save.

The one-way traffic continued in the second half. On 57 minutes McCann blocked another shot, from Crawshaw, and a minute later Bignall passed inside to Butler and his first time drive was superbly tipped over the bar by the busy McCann.

It looked like being one of those days. But on 65 minutes Gallagher dispossessed Freddie Hyatt midway in the Hendon half and the wing-back sprinted clear before arrowing a low shot past McCann to break the deadlock.

United, learning a lesson from their midweek draw at Carshalton, kept it tight for the remainder and with Simon Brown rarely tested they sealed a deserved three points.