Bromley just did enough to edge a tight entertaining game in difficult conditions to maintain their lead at the top of the league, but Hayes & Yeading will rightly be disappointed not have come away with something from this hard fought encounter.

In front of a bumper crowd the game began with both sides battling thing out in midfield on a very heavy pitch with no real chances at either end right up until the 28th minute when The Ravens took the lead with their first real chance.

A low Brendan Kiernan corner caught the away defence napping and Rob Swaine swept the ball home from 6 yards out.

Bromley nearly doubled their lead soon after when Kiernan pounced on a loose ball from a free kick and had a shot saved by Jamie Young.

The second half saw Hayes & Yeading start the better with a good spell of pressure, Huw Johnson had a shot deflected wide and Dean Inman had a header saved by Joe Welch from the resulting corner.

Bromley battled back and Pierre Joseph-Dubois should have scored when one on one with Young, but his effort was well saved.

With both sides looking to attack it his effort was well saved. With both sides looking to attack it was the visitors who took the initiative on 77 minutes when Luke Williams had an effort tipped over and Inman headed home from the corner to equalise.

Parity only lasted for a minute though when on the next attack The Ravens went back in front as former Gillingham winger Albert Jarrett’s deep cross was deftly flicked past Young by veteran front man Nic McDonnell to make it 2-1.

The Visitors continued to fight with Geoff Mitchell having a header saved and Williams hitting a post, but Bromley managed to hold on in torrential rain in the final minutes for all three points.

Weather permitting Mark Goldberg’s men now face second place Eastleigh at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night in a game that could define their season.

Bromley: Welch, Poolley, Anderson, Swaine, Holland, Dubois, Nicholls (Buchanan 72), Waldren, Kiernan (Jarrett 58), Goldberg, May (McDonnell 72).

Subs Not Used: Reid Parmenter.

Hayes & Yeading: Young, Miils, Everitt, Williams, Wassmer, Inamn, Blake, Merrifield, Effiong, Johnson (Mitchell 61), Wihsart.

Subs Not Used: English, Brown, Tieko, Ruiz.

Goals: Bromley – Swaine 28mins, McDonnell 78mins.
Hayes – Inman 77mins.

Match Rating: 4/5

Star Man: Jack Mills (Hayes & Yeading)

Referee: Mr Pottage

Att: 1,066