Cockfosters threw away a second-half lead to lose 2-1 to Hoddesdon Town in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division.

A lacklustre first half between these two promoted sides gave little indication of the footballing skill that was to be shown in the second period.

With the hosts fielding a young team due to a number of absentees for various reasons, it was no surprise when the visitors had the first chance of the match midway through the first half, from a free kick on the club house side of the ground the ball reached Adam Bolle who with a gaping net in front of him skied his shot horribly high and into the cricket field nearby.

This shot summed up the visitors during the half as they seemed to be trying to see who could hit the ball out of Dacre Field the furthest as clearances landed on the Cockfosters Road on numerous occasions.

Cockfosters' best chance of the half fell to another youngster, Jay Rolfe whose shot curled just wide off the post.

The second half was a different matter as both teams looked to keep the ball in Dacre Field, within four minutes of the restart David Ansell, who had been clattered heavily during the first 45, surged forward and won a corner.

Adem Ali took the corner low towards the edge of the penalty area where Denis Maharjan expertly dummied the ball allowing Richard Morton to drive a fierce effort between goalkeeper and defender.

The Reds could only hold the lead for four minutes as a from a scramble in the area Adam Bolle levelled the game up.

With both sides looking for the points, chances continued to come and from another Cockfosters corner a shot cannoned of a defender, the follow up was grasped no more that six inches from the line by Reece Buck.

The hosts were made to pay for this mistake when midway through the second period Bolle grabbed his second of the game and ultimately the points for Hoddesdon as Cockfosters failed to clear their lines.

Next up for Cockfosters are two games against Hadley, on Wednesday night they meet at Potters Bar Town in a Cup match whilst on Saturday Hadley travel to Dacre Field in the League.

Cockfosters: Dan Macateer; Bradley Robinson; Jack Cook; Denis Maharjan (Jack Gould 89);Richard Morton; Jay Rolfe; Adem Ali; Brian Mooney; Emond Protain; Luke Durnin (Josiah Hunte 82); David Ansell(James Fraser 68).

Sub not Used: Fabio Valenti