Northwood's losing run continued with a fourth consecutive league defeat at the hands of play-off bound Cheshunt at Theobalds Lane. With injury ruling out defenders Carl Pearce and Imran Uche, manager Scott Dash went with a three man defence of Sam Jenkins, Dan Newton and Matt Cooper while Kweku Lucan and Tremayne Charles were deployed as emergency wing-backs.

The Ambers went into the game looking to confirm their place in the end of season play-offs but it was Woods who immediately threatened  as Charles combined with Alex Witham to set up Zaied Sabti but he failed to get a clean connection on his shot.

However, play immediately switched to the other end as the experienced Jason Hallet capitalised on hesitation in the Northwood defence to fire a low shot beyond keeper Caolan Doyle to give the hosts a second minute lead.

Woods responded well to the early setback. Sabti's free-kick into the Cheshunt box lead to Newton having two bites of the cherry with a header and a shot being blocked before Yahya El-Khabouche's lofted pass sent Jabir Laraba clear of the Amber's defence but his shot cannoned off the upright.

Northwood threatened once again as another Sabti free-kick found the head of Newton but his header flew across the face of the goal. Cheshunt reminded Northwood of their attacking threat as Joe Re and Hallett went close before the latter was denied by Doyle who was quickly off his line to smother the shot.

Woods were forced into a change on 31 minutes as Lucan limped off to be replaced by Kyran Worrell. And Northwood continued to create chances as Sabti picked out Laraba, who shot weakly at keeper Harry Girling from a good position before the latter denied Laraba again as he tipped his shot over the crossbar.

At the other end, Doyle produced a fine save to deny Brian Moses, the rebound being headed goalwards by Hallett but Newton was on hand to clear the danger. Northwood had recovered well from their early setback and they were unfortunate to concede a second on 43 minutes as Taylor Miles out-muscled skipper Sam Jenkins before sending a curling effort into the top corner.

Woods needed to find something quickly after the restart and an early Sabti corner afforded them an opportunity but Newton headed narrowly wide. Dan Pett was introduced for Laraba on the hour mark but Northwood had more defending to do as Mark Hughes was denied by Doyle.

Worrell was beginning to find some joy down the right flank for Northwood and his ball picked out Charles who saw his shot blocked while Sabti's speculative shot from inside the centre circle wasn't far away.

However, Woods were indebted to Doyle as he as he twice denied the lively Shane Cojacorel to keep his side in the game.

Northwood made a final substitution on 76 minutes as Kerran Lataille replaced the tiring Worrell. And any lingering hopes Northwood had of getting back into the contest were extinguished as Newton tripped tricky substitute Ashley Nzala to concede a penalty with Miles converting from the spot to put the contest to bed on 87 minutes. The Woods were denied a consolation at the end as Girling made a superb point-blank save to deny Witham after good work from Charles.