MORGAN BRACE KEEPS O'S IN THE RACE

Morgan's pair, in the first quarter hour of the second half, secured a second successive win this week for his side but they were also indebted to keeper Josh Dempsey who produced a string of top saves, including a penalty from James Dunn. The points lifted the O's up one place to seventh in a congested promotion chase that will end next Saturday on the final day.

After Wednesday's 3-1 win over Almondsbury, manager Dale Dempsey made just two changes to his starting eleven. Josh Dempsey came in for keeper Ross Jones and also brought in Karim Rendall for Josh Williams who dropped to the bench.

Both sides had early chances before on seven minutes, there was a worrying looking collision between a Hengrove attacher and Dempsey after a clash of heads. Both men carried on, the keeper a little groggy, and the game opened out into a quite entertaining spectacle. Morgan went close for Oldland with a back header from a corner and Rendall set up Jack Parker with a shot that whistled just wide. It wasn't all one way though; a Hengrove attacker hit both posts with an effort followed by a header from a free kick that went narrowly wide.

O's claimed a goal halfway through the first period when a David Stone cross was headed "home" by Rendall after the keeper appeared to spill the ball over the line but nothing was given. Within four minutes though, Oldland were staring down the barrel of going behind as Ali Bamford handled in the box. James Dunn stepped up but saw his penalty saved superbly by Dempsey.

Hengrove were the better side for the rest of the half but Oldland's defence held firm.... just. Dempsey came up with a great double save and Tom Welling headed one off the line as Hengrove sought to keep their own promotion hopes alive.

Oldland came out more assured in the second half and took the lead on 54 minutes. A ball in from the left, just outside the penalty box, found Rendall whose volley hit the underside of the crossbar then fell to Tom Morgan who finished clinically. Rendall then shot over before O's doubled their lead on the hour mark. It was Morgan again, this time from close range turning and firing into the corner of the net.

The game got a little niggly with a few late challenges going in unnecessarily but Oldland still created the better chances. Rendall's one-on-one with the keeper saw him denied by a save from the keeper's feet and Morgan went agonisingly close to completing a treble when Stone's mazy forty yard run set him up.

A couple of close shaves near the end with Dempsey and his well marshalled defence producing one of their best displays for many months and keeping the O's in the hunt for promotion.