Hastings Town inched closer to promotion from the eastern division with a hard fought 2-1 win at fourth-placed Histon.

Goals from Danny Simmonds and Stuart Playford enabled Hastings to overturn a half-time deficit and maintain their seven-point lead at the top.

Manager George Wakeling said: "We had a good talk at half-time and they livened up a little bit in the second half."

Hastings certainly did that after falling behind to a 29th-minute thunderbolt from left-back Wayne Goddard which gathered pace in the swirling wind and ripped past the outstretched hands of Dave King.

The visitors equalised just six minutes into the second half when Histon failed to clear a corner and the ball sat up nicely for Simmonds to half-volley into the corner of the net.

Hastings' winner on 69 minutes also came from a corner, this time central defender Playford was in the right place to score with a header which proved too powerful for the fingertips of goalkeeper Paul Barber.

Hastings had their moments in the opening period with Paul Jones being denied by the crossbar.

After seeing his team claim their 11th win in their last 12 league matches, Wakeling said: "When I took over I said this team has got to learn how to not throw games away because the ability is there. They have got to learn how to be winners and they are beginning to learn."

Eastbourne Borough bounced back to form with a 2-0 win to complete the double over Stamford at Priory Lane.

Just two days after defeat against relegation-threatened St Leonards, Borough came up trumps against high-flying Stamford.

Manager Garry Wilson said: "It was a very sound performance. We took a bit of stick after the St Leonards defeat, but the lads took it on the chin and showed what they are really capable of."

Borough produced a superb first-half display and scored both goals against a ferocious wind.

The first came in the 17th minute when Andy Ducille touched on a Dave Adams cross from the left and skipper Daren Pearce finished.

Young Mark Goodwin, an able deputy for injured striker Matt Allen, made it 2-0 in the 29th minute when he drove the ball home after Ben Austin had headed a John Westcott corner against the bar.

The win will put Borough in good heart for tomorrow's home clash with promotion candidates Dorchester.