VIDEO: Marsh at the double as Dunstable Town claim much-needed win

Dunstable Town avenged their opening day defeat to Beaconsfield SYCOB by the same scoreline with a much-needed 3-2 win at Holloways Park on Monday evening to boost their flagging Calor Southern League Division One Central title hopes.

The win ended a poor spell of form that had seen the Blues surrender top sport due to a run of four successive defeats.

Director of football John McLoughlin said: “It was a tremendous team effort and I was pleased for the lads and it puts us back on track.

“Chris Marsh and Nathan Frater took their goals well and Terry Dixon was on great form. The whole team was desperate for the win and it showed in abundance.

“We can now move forward and get a run together that tells the league that DTFC are back in business.”

Both sides were committed to attack, with fourth-placed Beaconsfield looking to extend their fine form of late.

Beaconsfield went closest to opening the scoring when Jordan Ajanlekoko’s looping header hit the crossbar, while Jack Hutchinson finished a superb run with a shot that went only just wide.

However, Town took the lead when Dixon, Adam Watkins and Marsh combined well, with the latter firing into the top left corner.

Dunstable held the lead until the last minute of the half when Kyle Anthony conceded a penalty and Zak Joseph converted.

The second half was just as frenetic with chances for both sides, but Dunstable regained the lead on 63 minutes when Dixon found Marsh and his fine shot proved too strong for James Reading.

Dixon was again involved as Dunstable extended their lead on 75 minutes, when he controlled a long ball forward well and slipped the perfect pass to the unmarked Frater to net with a low shot.

On Saturday Dunstable host county rivals Barton Rovers at Creasey Park.

Beaconsfield reacted strongly and put Town under relentless pressure with Kofi Lockhart-Adams pulling a goal back at the death, as the final whistle almost immediately sounded from the restart as Town closed the gap at the top to two points, although leaders Rugby have a game in hand.

Rams: James Reading, Danny McDonnell, Craig Carby, Brad Hewitt (C), Reece Yorke, Jordan Ajnlekoko, Tom O’Regan, Nathan Webb, Jon-Jo Bates, Jack Hutchinson, Zak Joseph. Substitutes: Kofi Lockhart-Adams, Brian Haule, Shaun Owens, Lee Grant.

Blues: Jamie Head, Jerome Jibidou (Tony Fontanelle 77), Ryan Plowright, Joseph Bruce, Kyle Anthony, Moses Olaeye (C), Adam Watkins, Newman Carney (Danny Murphy 49), Terry Dixon, Nathan Frater, Christopher Marsh. Substitutes not used: Marc Leach, BJ Christie.

Booked: Anthony; McDonnell; Bates.

Referee: Adrian Gillett.

Assistant Referees: Michael Oakes and Andrew Hickman.

Attendance: 90.

Star Blue: Terry Dixon.