Town banish travel sickness with statement win at Totton

Hungerford Town continued their recent resurgence on the road with a statement 2-1 win over play-off chasing Totton.

Goals from in-form wingers Adulai Sambu and Elis Watts either side of half time fired the Crusaders into a two-goal lead in Southampton, although the visitors had to hold on for the final 11 minutes of normal time as well as another seven added after veteran frontman Scott Rendell reduced the deficit with a diving header.

Town survived a couple of late scares, notably in the fifth minute of added time when Leon Maloney, who won promotion to the Eredivisie last season with Dutch side Jong FC Volendam, blasted over following a frenetic scramble in the area.

However Hungerford held on, meaning they are now unbeaten in three successive games away from home. Homesickness had plagued Danny Robinson’s side for all of last season and the beginning of this, with the Crusaders picking up just three points from the first 21 available away from Bulpit Lane.

With Town still unbeaten at home and looking to have overcome the worst of their travel sickness, ninth-placed Hungerford are now putting pressure on the sides above them in the play-off places.

“It was a gritty and determined performance,” boss Danny Robinson said.

“We were the better side in the first half. After we got the second goal, Totton battered us a bit but we defended manfully.

“The referee added on so much time at the end I thought I was going to miss Sunday dinner.

“It was probably one of my favourite performances on the road for a long, long time.”

The Crusaders will put their unbeaten home record to the rest with the visit of 15th-placed Hanwell Town on Saturday before welcoming Winchester City, who Town put five past in the FA Trophy in October, on Tuesday night.