Saturday`s Division One Central Round-Up

The Pitching In Southern League Division One Central championship race tilted in Bedford Town`s favour on Saturday after they eased to a 4-0 win while second-placed Berkhamsted were held to a 2-2 draw.

Bedford`s dominance at The Eyrie can be judged by the fact that their goalkeeper Alex Street was forced into making his first save of the game in the 89th minute.

At the other end, Leigh Bedwell had an outstanding game for visiting Didcot Town.

The crowd of 551 saw Connor Tomlinson give the Eagles the boost of an early 5th-minute lead that Callum Donnelly added to after 23 minutes.

And Danny Setchell`s third just before the break made it almost game over already.

Thanks mainly to Bedwell, Bedford were only able to add a 77th minute Rene Howe penalty to their tally.

Bedford`s county rivals Barton Rovers did them a big favour by holding Berkhamsted to a 2-2 draw at Broadwater.

Cheyce Grant gave the Comrades an early 8th-minute lead that Tony Burnett cancelled out after 32 minutes.

Parity lasted barely 4 minutes though as Jonathan Lacey restored the home side`s lead.

And they had a great chance to go 3-1 up just 5 minutes after the break but Grant had his penalty saved by Rovers` keeper Kyle Forster.

And then Berko had Lucas Kirkpatrick sent-off after 65 minutes, with Rovers` levelling things a minute into stoppage time.

Third-placed AFC Dunstable also lost ground as they too were held to a draw, 1-1 at the Arena by Harlow Town.

The Hawks led at the break, thanks to a 39th minute Marcus Marku effort.

Tom Sitford pulled the visitors back on level terms in the 65th minute.

North Leigh are now fourth after Welwyn Garden City`s game was postponed after beating St Neots Town 1-0 at the Premier Plus Stadium, courtesy of a goal 2 minutes after half-time from Roger James.

Ware in sixth could only draw 2-2 at Wodson Park against ninth-placed Biggleswade FC and are four points behind the top five.

The hosts led through Dave Kendall`s 12th-minute opener until the 71st minute when Tom Coles grabbed FC`s equaliser.

Liam Hope restored Ware`s lead 8 minutes later, but Coles popped up with his second as the time ticked into those added on by the referee at the end of the game.

The bottom two lost again and now look like needing snookers to avoid the drop.

Wantage Town are bottom with 13 points after losing 2-1 to the team who started the day third-from-bottom, Hertford Town.

Charlie Payne gave the Blues the lead just before the break at Hertingfordbury Park.

Ed Gyamfi made it 2-0 on 65 minutes, and, despite a last-gasp Tony Logongo reply, the hosts held on to move above Kempston Rovers, who lost 3-1 at FC Romania, for whom Tobi Coker bagged a brace on 30 and 44 minutes, sandwiched by a Zenon Stylianides effort on 43 minutes, with Rafal Wielblad replying on 42 minutes.

Second-from-bottom Colney Heath were beaten 1-0 at Yarnton Road by an 87th minute Ryan Knight goal for Kidlington, who are now 15th.

The day`s other game saw Thame United and Waltham Abbey share a 1-1 draw at the ASM Autos Stadium.

Dave Pearce was on target again for the Red Kites after 22 minutes with Nathaniel Orafu eventually equalising 9 minutes from time.