Arlesey Town were shown how far they need to progress to be rated as serious promotion contenders in a 2-0 home defeat by second placed Harlow. The visitors soon displayed their intentions with Ross Parmenter s swerving shot forcing Luke Bliss to scramble

Arlesey Town were shown how far they need to progress to be rated as serious promotion contenders in a 2-0 home defeat by second placed Harlow.

The visitors soon displayed their intentions with Ross Parmenter's swerving shot forcing Luke Bliss to scramble across his goal before gathering the ball at the second attempt.

Both sides gained several corners which ultimately came to nothing before the Blues missed a gilt-edged chance to take the lead.

Michael McKenzie swept down the right and his cross found the unmarked Craig Rydeheard at the back post.

His header though did not match the build-up as it fell just the wrong side of the upright with the whole goal to aim at.

The breakthrough for Harlow came on 38 minutes when Leon Lalite's shot seemed to be blocked by Bliss but the sheer power of the shot forced the ball under his body.

A goalmouth scramble in the Harlow box yielded nothing for the Blues and the visitors started another attack that saw Gordon Barr slide across the box to intercept a low cross.

Harlow were also quick off the mark at the start of the second half, with both sets of players converging on the Blues goal, a slight deflection sending the ball wide for a corner.

Steve Dogbe came off worse, receiving extensive treatment before continuing, and shortly afterwards he was replaced by Kaan Fehmi.

Arlesey were finding it impossible to breach the Harlow defence and gave the ball away cheaply to provide the visitors with the launchpad for the second goal on the hour. Sammy Winston gave Bliss no chance with a well-struck shot.

A superb through ball then found Fehmi but his shot lacked power and direction while, at the other end, Harlow had pleas for a penalty turned down.

Lee Tekell and Ozie Foster were replaced by Arin Fehmi and Darran Hay and Arlesey forced a succession of corners and free-kicks but former Stevenage Boro keeper James Hassel still did not have much to do.

With four minutes left, Hay went up with the keeper and a free-kick was awarded. Harlow players wanted more than a free-kick and Hay hit the deck, apparently receiving a blow from a visiting player. Yellow cards were brandished against Hay and his Harlow aggressor.

Blues: Bliss, McElroy, Bloss, Williams, Dogbe (K Fehmi), Gray, Tekell (A Fehmi), Barr, McKenzie, Foster (Hay), Rydeheard.