The Hawks, who remain in the play-off spots, had seen a Tayo Oyebola (‘26) volley and Matt Rush (‘43) penalty cancelled out by Kyen Nicholas (‘59) and Joshua Gallagher (‘69).

But as seen too often this season, Harlow held out in front of their ever-passionate fans, seeing Chipstead remain in 14th.

With cup competitions causing havoc to the league schedules, Harlow’s players had seen 11 days of no competitive games, an eternity in non-league football.

Yet they still appeared freshened, with three changes to the 2-1 win over Ashford, and a very direct approach to the opening exchanges.

Such play created space in the box for Matt Rush, but the chance to shoot was denied by Aaron Miller.

Josh Bexon was then on hand in the tenth minute to deny an awkward Samuel Bell free kick.

Keen to overload the box on the attack, Chipstead were often short in midfield, Miles Mitchell-Nelson taking advantage of this with a long switch across in the 15th minute. Tayo Oyebola, playing up front today, latched on and squared it across for Terrell Egbri. It looked like strong point-blank goalkeeping from Oliver Pain had deflected the winger’s shot over the bar, but the referee awarded a goal kick.

Almost immediately after stadium announcer Lee pointed out Harlow had fielded a short side, a brilliant opportunity arose from winning a duel at a set piece. The ball ricocheted off multiple players after a shanked Chipstead clearance. Oyebola, from the edge of the six yard-box, controlled, turned, and fired in a bottom left corner volley.

His first goal since the 14th of September, the home fans were treated to that oh-so-sweet backflip celebration again.

Bell was put through on the half-hour mark after Malachi Hudson breezed past Oliver Gnandi, but the striker squandered the ten-yard chance.

Gnandi was frustrated at the tackle, Hudson the same for not seeing his efforts result in an assist. It showed, the pair engaging in a few tousles, although mainly deriving from showmanship and strong tackles.

Scorers of only eight goals thus far, The Chips were creating chances at will, despite the game’s interruptions for handbags. First Samuel Clayton failed to get a shot off from a favourable position when a hopeful punt forward fell to him. Bell then headed wide when unmarked at a corner.

An open game, De’Jaune Taylor-Crossdale was frustrated when poor attacking instincts from his team-mates left him without an option at the by-line. Oyebola was in the same position in the 43rd minute, holding up play while waiting. Pain steamed in, bundling him over before watching Rush convert the resulting penalty with ease.

The Hawks may have ridden their luck at times, Chipstead wasteful when it mattered, but a two-goal lead has to be earned way or another. League high-flyers often win ugly, and Danny Chapman’s team looked well on the way to doing so at the break.

HALF-TIME: Harlow Town 2 - 0 Chipstead

Aside from Daniel Moody’s long-range effort cannoning off the post, and a Taylor-Crossdale shot from the angle trickling wide, both teams were short of inspiration leading up to the hour mark.

This made things more frustrating, when half-time substitute Kyren Nicholas rose the highest from a Clayton free kick, and headed in from close range to half the deficit.

And they almost nullified it five minutes later, Hudson’s deflected shot hung in the air for excruciating time, but Bexon got back to tip it over.

The Hawks had really dropped off, and deservedly lost their lead on 70 minutes. Clayton dribbled his way into the box, feigning a shot before opting to pass across. Mitchell-Nelson got a foot to it, but he was unlucky, the ball going in off of Joshua Gallagher, who was in close proximity.

Often the first to get forward, Yannick Kissi had been quiet thus far. However, Rush controlled a long pass from Gnandi, and gave it to the marauding left-back. His cross in was powerful, Oyebola failing

to control. But with substitute Ozzy Adeniji just behind him, the forward didn’t hesitate in shooting, finding the bottom right corner with ease for his first league goal of the season.

The introduction of Samson Doherty livened the midfield, while Nelson and Gnandi had arisen from the mini-slump that saw them concede twice in a matter of minutes. There were moments of real hustle from Rush and Lewis, who was crowned man of the match.

A number of smooth interplays also saw Harlow create some half-chances, but the vital element at the death was defence; The Hawks seeing off the remaining time with no real scares.

It goes without repeating... League high-flyers often win ugly.

FULL-TIME: Harlow Town 3 - 2 Chipstead

Attention turns to The Velocity Trophy, The Hawks hosting local rivals Hertford on Tuesday (19:45PM KO)