Hendon survived an unlikely two-goal comeback to seal a deserved 4-2 win over already relegated AFC Hornchurch as they build momentum for the Isthmian Premier Division play-offs.

After drawing 0-0 at Grays Athletic on Saturday, Hendon's title hopes were all but ended. Though mathematically the Greens can still overthrow leaders Maidstone United, it will take an 18-goal swing on the final day, coupled with defeat for the Stones.

Despite being shorn of half a dozen regulars, including goalkeeper Ben McNamara, defender Elliott Brathwaite and the in-form Sam Murphy, Gary McCann's side tore into Hornchurch.

The Greens ought to have led when Charlie Goode met an inswinging free-kick but the centre-back contrived to plant his header agonisingly wide of the top corner.

Not to be denied, though, Goode did open the scoring when he swept home after ten minutes following a good period of pressure from the hosts.

The Greens continued to cause their Essex visitors real problems, with Aaron Morgan, Leon Smith and Kezie Ibe to the fore.

And it was Ibe who got the second just after the half-hour mark.

Clearly tripped inside the penalty area, the skipper could not beat Hornchurch goalkeeper Sam Mott with his first attempt but tucked home the rebound.

Hendon pushed on in search of a third before the break but were unable to find a way past Mott once more.

A much-improved Hornchurch returned for the second half and took the game to their hosts.

The Urchins halved the deficit midway through the second period with a snapshot from Tobi Joseph which caught Daniel McNicholas out at his near post.

And just two minutes later the visitors dragged themselves level as Reece Buckles Richards netted.

A flare up between Andre Da Costa and Courtney Homans resulted in cautions for both players following a long delay, with the Hendon man clearly aggrieved by the visiting full-back.

McCann's side began to find their feet once more and substitute Adam Wallace was well denied after being slipped in by Smith as Hendon broke.

George Purcell almost completed the comeback after 70 minutes but having cut inside could only slam wide on his left foot.

Wallace would atone for his earlier failure to convert with ten minutes remaining, though, lashing home from 18 yards after Smith had worked hard to earn a throw deep in Hornchurch territory.

With time running out Hendon finally killed off the threat of their visitors as workaholic Smith acrobatically hooked home an overhead kick after seeing his initial prod towards goal hit the post.

Smith ought to have grabbed a second a couple of minutes later but hesitated after racing onto Goode's incisive free-kick and could not find a way past Mott.

The score told of a comfortable victory for the Greens but in reality, though rightly victorious, Hendon had been made to work for their points.

Hendon face landlords Harrow Borough in the London Senior Cup semi-finals on Wednesday before hosting Leiston in their final league fixture on Saturday.

Hendon: McNicholas; Diedhiou, Goode, Flegg, Da Costa; Michael-Cecil, McCann, Murray; Morgan (Wallace 60); Ibe, Smith.

Subs: Cousin, Sprague, O'Leary, K. Maclaren.