Slough Town keep alive slim play-off hopes with victory over Hemel Hempstead Town

Slough Town 2, Hemel Hempstead Town 0

Slough Town kept alive their slim play-off hopes with a convincing 2-0 home win over Hemel Hempstead Town at Arbour Park on Monday, where the visitors were reduced to nine men in the latter stages.

Back-to-back league wins have dragged the Rebels back into play-off contention with the side now five points off the top seven with four matches left to play.

However, the Rebels run-in looks challenging, with three of their remaining games taking place away from home against Chelmsford City, Concord Rangers, and Hampton & Richmond Borough, while their remaining home game is at home to fourth-placed Dartford.

Having taken all three points from Friday's trip to Tonbridge Angels, Alfonso Tenconi scoring the game's only goal from Joe Dandy's brilliant assist, the Rebels came into Monday's game with their confidence fully restored.

And they were presented with an early gift when Gus Scott-Morriss scoring a scarcely believable own-goal.

There were only eight minutes on the clock when the defender turned and played the ball back to goalkeeper Craig King, however, the keeper had moved off his line and wasn't able to get back in time to keep the ball out of the net.

Jonathan North pulled off a great save from Craig Fasanmade in the 25th minute and only a brilliant save prevented Tenconi from scoring his second goal in as many before half-time, the striker sending his follow-up effort narrowly wide.

However, it didn't take the hosts long to double their advantage after the interval, Josh Jackman adding to his tally of fine strikes this season with a fierce low drive in the 52nd minute.

The defender nutmegged his marker and charged into the area before firing beyond King and into the bottom corner. Matt Lench - on his 150th appearance for the club - also played a big role in the build-up.

Hemel then imploded in the latter stages as Dan Wishart was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Jackman.

Lench missed a chance to kill the game off when his shot was well saved by King, however, further indiscipline from the visitors saw Cole Kpekawa sent off for slapping Lench in the face in stoppage-time.

The Rebels must now look to maintain their late season form when they travel to Chelmsford City on Saturday, however, they know they'll have to be almost perfect in their final four games to stand any chance of extending their season.