Royston Town 2 Stony Stratford Town 0 ROYSTON Town moved to second in the South Midlands Division Table with a vital win over promotion rivals Stony Stratford Town. The Crows were again made to work for the victory, with the visitors getting off to a b

Royston Town 2 Stony Stratford Town 0

ROYSTON Town moved to second in the South Midlands Division Table with a vital win over promotion rivals Stony Stratford Town.

The Crows were again made to work for the victory, with the visitors getting off to a bright start, and with a bit more discipline they could well have taken something from the game.

However, it was Paul Attfield's side that picked up the points with Tom Malins opening the score after 20 minutes, when his floated free-kick deceived the Stony defence.

Stony did threaten when on the ball, although their possession never really troubled Royston keeper Damion Williamson apart from a brilliant stop midway through the second half.

At the other end, Peter Chappell, Craig Hammond, Allan Reid and Ashley Townsend all went close for the hosts, as Royston worked openings from all over the pitch.

In the second half, the visitors again started brightly, with midfielders Ben Hill and Gary Hutchinson looking to drag their side back into the game, although it was Townsend who had the best of the early chances.

Royston's defence was again in impressive form with the Stony attack limited to a few half chances, with Williamson called into action with one terrific stop denying Saun Carr from close range.

As the half wore on, it was clear the visitors were beginning to lose their heads as Royston began to push forward, with Hammond and Luke Robins both forcing saves from the Stony keeper.

Another jinking run by Robins then picked out Townsend just inside the visiting box, however instead of squaring for those better placed the powerful striker fired wastefully wide.

However, Hammond did double Royston's lead with a 66th minute penalty, sending James Eggerton the wrong way after he was pulled back by Matthew Clinch.

Five minutes later Stony's woes were increased when Ian Alderman was sent off for his second bookable offence and with 10 men and very little going forward the game was all but over.

With his first touch of the game, substitute Greg Jackson thought he had added a third with 10 minutes left, however the striker's effort was ruled out for offside.

Then in the closing stages Reid and Stony's Marc Redsull both saw red, with The Crows skipper's challenge prompting an over the top reaction and a 22-man brawl.