Manderwood Pembrokeshire League One:

Hakin United 2-1 Merlins Bridge

A clinical strike from Justin ‘Skinny’ Harding ensured Hakin inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Merlins Bridge at The Obs tonight as the pendulum swung again in the Division One title race.

The sides went in level at the break after the outstanding Ben Fawcett had headed The Vikings into an early lead, only for Luke Hayward to level for The Wizards from the penalty spot.

But midway through a scrappy second half, it was Harding who buried a 10-yard into the top corner for a goal that proved decisive, moving Hakin to five points off both Bridge and Goodwick United at the top, but with two games in hand.

And to compound matters for Bridge, they finished with 10 men after centre back Richard Hughes was dismissed for second yellow late on, with both cards shown by referee Tom Bevan for dissent.

As always when The Vikings and Wizards meet, there was plenty on intensity and needle in the opening stages - and it was Hakin who fashioned the first clear chance when Nicky Woodrow planted his header wide from Ryan Wilson’s cross.

And just eight minutes in Kristan Bennett’s team led - as Harding’s in-swinging corner was flicked on at the near post by Adam John, and Fawcett made no mistake as he nodded home from six yards.

The Wizards themselves were looking threatening going forward and almost responded immediately, as Laurie Haworth’s stinging 10 yard shot was brilliantly tipped away by Hakin keeper Adrian Devonald.

But Bridge were dealt a major blow when Joe Leahy was forced off after landing awkwardly in the Hakin area - and Nathan Thomas’ side were then indebted to right back Matthew D’Ivy, who prevented them going 2-0 down by clearing off the line after Woodrow had flicked a header past Thomas.

The lively Facwett also went close to his second as he turned sharply before unleashing a curling 20 yard shot that Thomas saved at full stretch.

At the other end, the visitors thought they had levelled as Hughes met Hayward’s whipped cross with a super diving header that flew into the net from 12 yards, only to pick himself up to find the goal ruled out for offside. The defender voiced his anger at the decision, and was promptly booked.

But then on 33 minutes, it was Hayward who cut into the Hakin area, and as Devonald rushed out to narrow the angle, he brought down the midfielder and Bevan pointed to the spot.

Hayward duly sent the keeper the wrong way with the penalty as he slotted confidently into the bottom corner.

The opening stages of the second half failed to live up to the tempo of the first - and chances were few and far between until the hour mark when Laurie Haworth’s low cross found brother Will, who had come on for The Wizards at half time, but he could only fire straight at Devonald with the goal at his mercy. The youngster then picked up a yellow card for his troubles as he appeared to try and handle the rebound.

The Vikings meanwhile, were struggling to trouble a Bridge defence that looked organised and compact – until the 66th minute when Harding took his moment.

Leigh Marchant’s long free kick into the area saw Hughes and Woodrow compete in the air, and the ball ricocheted of them into the path of Harding, who took a touch before leaving Thomas with no chance by blasting high into the net.

The goal re-ignited Hakin and they almost added a third a minute later when Wilson played in Jake Merry, and after the right back’s cross-shot was partially cleared, Fawcett’s follow up effort was also blocked by a crowd of bodies.

Inevitably, the game opened up in the final 20 minutes as Bridge tried to press, and Nathan Greene’s through ball to strike partner Adam Hawkins again saw Devonald dash out from his goal – but this time the keeper timed it perfectly to clear the ball to safety.

Then from the corner that followed, The Vikings countered at a lightning speed and it almost culminated in a goal as Harding’s low ball in seemed destined for Woodrow at the back post – but a retreating Hayward did well to get back and clear in the nick of time.

Back came Bridge as Ashley Beck twice threatened an equaliser, first whipping a right foot free kick just over the bar, before stabbing wide from a tight angle after Hakin centre back and ex-Wizard Sion Price could only clear straight into the midfielder’s path.

With time running out, it was Hakin who again broke upfield at pace, and Facwett turned D’Ivry on half-way before driving forward and slotting in Harding, but his first time shot was saved by Thomas with his legs.

Then in injury time, home winger John was fouled by Haworth out wide, and it was then that Hughes saw a second yellow and subsequent red for protesting the free kick.

It means he will miss his side’s attempt to bounce back at home to Lamphey on Saturday, while Hakin host Pennar before going to Monkton Swifts on Monday.

Goodwick meanwhile, whose game tonight was postponed as West Dragons could not field a side, go to Carew – as the race for the title continues to intensify.

Hakin United: Adrian Devonald, Jake Merry, Sion Price, Daniel Armstrong, Leigh Marchant, Craig Nicholson (Jonty Bennett 73), Ben Fawcett, Justin Harding, Adam John, Ryan Wilson (Jack Wilson 70), Nicky Woodrow.

Sub not used: Gareth Fawcett.

Merlins Bridge: Gary Thomas, Matthew D’Ivry, Peter Thomas (Will Haworth HT), Richard Hughes, Andrew John, Ashley Beck, Joe Leahy (Simon Thomas 10), Luke Hayward, Laurie Haworth, Adam Hawkins, Nathan Greene.

Sub not used: Joey George.

Referee: Tom Bevan.