Table-topping St Alban’s arrived at Earlsmead with a 100% record, and departed with that record still intact, having outclassed a Harrow team that badly needs to get some of its injured players back to fitness.

New Borough signing Sean Roberts replaced the departed Andy Pape between the sticks, while Phil Gridelet returned in place of the injured Mekel Hackett.

Crawshaw just failed to connect with an early cross for the visitors, but it was Harrow who should have gone in front after 7 minutes. Davis Haule beat the Saints offside trap, but allowed Wilmot to make a diving save from his shot when he really should have found the net. Richard Clarke then hit a fierce drive across the goalmouth to which no Borough colleague could get a touch.

St Aban’s then began to take a hold of the game. Hollenbach’s 30-yard shot was saved by Roberts, Perry Norman made an important diving block, Adam Everitt cleared acrobatically from under his own crossbar, Smith shot over and Kean’s drive flashed across the goalmouth. They took the lead on the half-hour, Martin hitting a great cross to the far-post where Crawshaw soared between two defenders to power home a header.

Borough’s defence suffered a further blow when skipper Clarke, having received treatment twice in the first half, did not reappear for the second period. Borough were close to an early equaliser, however, when Norman was fouled and John Lawford’s free-kick went inches past the post. But the visitors doubled their lead in the 55th minute when the superb Kean crossed from the right and Hollenbach headed home.

Saints then showed why they’ve won every game this season with some classy football. Martin shot across the face of the goal, and Crawshaw turned sharply to fire over the bar. Harrow fans were then mystified when Edwin Stein withdrew Michael Jatto, who had looked solid in central defence. Phil Gridelet dropped back, but he struggled against the pace of the visiting attackers. After 71 minutes, a quick break by the Saints concluded with Sippetts rounding Roberts and firing home. One minute later it was 0-4, Martin holding off Gridelet to turn and shoot in.

Late shot from Harrow substitutes Robert Charles and Chris Jones threatened a consolation goal, but the further worry of the closing minutes was more indiscipline, with Fabio Valenti joining Gridelet and Everitt in the book for a needless foul. The players must understand the threat that the £5,000 suspended FA fine poses.

Harrow now face two away games, at Hampton and Boreham Wood, and need some points or they are going to be sucked into an all-too-familiar foot-of-the-table dogfight. The return of some injured players would be a great help.

  1 - Sean Roberts
  2 - Godfrey Torto
   (sub Michael Barima 57)
  3 - Adam Everitt
  4 - Richard Clarke
   (sub Chris Jones 45)
  5 - Perry Norman
  6 - Michael Jatto
   (sub Robert Charles 69)
  7 - Wayne Walters
  8 - Davis Haule
  9 - John Lawford
10 - Phil Gridelet
11 - Fabio Valenti