With games in hand of the leaders, the potential league champions were at Spa Road on Satyrday, as second in the table Northwood gained three points at the expense of lowly Witham.

Town now see the games left to get the points they need for safety, gradually dwindling away, and to make things worse for them, some of the teams near the bottom of their league won their games on Saturday.

There were two good attempts at goal in the early part of the game, firstly when Northwood's Chris Gell headed a free kick just wide and at the other end a powerful shot from Neil Grice who was standing outside the penalty area was well saved by Paul Riordan in the Northwood goal.

Northwood took the lead in the 17th minute when, after a scramble in the home goalmouth, Andy Sherry was gifted a chance and he scored with a close range shot.

Witham went close to equalising soon afterwards when a shot from Glen Driver looked like going in but hit the foot of the post.

Just before half-time Sherry scored again when he headed home a free kick.

Immediately after the break the strong Wood's defender, Gary Williams, cleared the ball off the line in a tussle with Grice.

Witham drew level when Driver was put through to shoot past Riordan and he almost got another goal when, after a good build-up, his shot went inches over the bar.

Witham created more chances but lacked finishing power, but then as a draw looked a possibility Gell put the result beyond doubt when he shot through a crowded goalmouth for a third goal from Northwood.

Witham Town: Kriehn, Hawes, Shirley (Dean 45 mins) English, Dignam, Ashton, Grice, Driver, Jopling, Gold (Kinsella 45 mins) (Bassett 58 mins) and Woolnough.

On Saturday Witham host Windsor & Eton in a Ryman League match at Spa Road (kick-off 3 pm).

Witham Town under 18s lost 1-0 at Braintree Town on Sunday.

The goal game came in the first half and after the break Braintree packed their defence and kept Witham out.

Witham hit the woodwork on four occasions, Gino Defeo being denied three times and Jerry Hawes once.

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