Windy conditions prevailed at Creasey Park on Saturday afternoon, but a second half resurgence from visitors New Salamis stopped Dunstable Town blowing them away.
One hundred and ten spectators made it through the gate in time to observe the pre-match Remembrance service from ATC 460 Squadron.
The visitors had all the possession in the opening period but created nothing of note, but then Dunstable's first chance to make an impression on the game saw a free kick lofted harmlessly into the arms of Austin Byfield, the New Salamis goalkeeper.
As the first half wore on, the Blues started to grow in stature and created their first real opening when Benji Gray received the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal, turned and struck a low shot which rebounded off the inside of the post. The visitors regained possession and went on the counter attack, calling Town goalkeeper Dan Gould into action for the first time of the match.
Joe Sellers-West was looking lively for the hosts, in one attack dancing past multiple defenders down the left wing before failing to find a cross that matched the run.
With seven minutes of the first half remaining, it was Sellers-West who broke the deadlock, when he latched onto a ball over the top and lobbed the oncoming Byfield, the ball landing just the right side of the crossbar.
The last action of the first half had the visiting number ten seeing stars as he went down after taking a Dan Trif clearance fully in the face.
The visitors took control in the early stages of the second half and were quickly rewarded when Antonio Paone-Michael cut inside on the right and stroked the ball neatly into the corner of the goal.
The Londoners kept up the pressure, searching for a second, and the turnaround was complete just short of the hour mark, this time when Derek Asamoah hit the back of the net.
Based on the second half performances, the away side were good value for their lead, but Town didn't go down willingly.
Dylan Baker hit a twenty-five yard free kick narrowly wide of the frame, but the best chance for an equaliser came when Liam McCrohan got on the end of a cross and headed into the path of substitute Jimmy Hartley, who hit it first time, inches wide of the near post.
Dunstable pushed until the end, with Byfield being given a job to do when a free kick deflected through the wall in the dying minutes, but New Salamis stood firm and took the three points back to London with them.
Joe Deeney's men make the short trip to Ampthill Town on Tuesday night for a League Cup game before Saturday's league fixture at London Colney.
Highlights
Written by Patrick MacKay
Photos by Cupcake99Photgraphy
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