Craig Edwards scored a brace for the Blues in the 3-1 win over Sutton on Monday (c)

FOOTBALL

BISHOP'S Stortford maintained their push for a Blue Square South play-off place by taking four points from a possible six over the Easter weekend.

Greg Pearson's goal earned the Blues a 2-2 away draw with Hayes and Yeading on Saturday, while a Craig Edwards double put Mart Hayes' men on the way to a 3-1 win over Sutton United on Monday.

Pearson notched his 26th league goal of the season with the 77th minute equaliser to earn his side a valuable point at Hayes.

The hosts had taken a a sixth minute lead when Neville Saroya scored from the penalty spot after keeper Joe Welch had hauled down Staforde Palmer.

Stortford rallied and forced a number of good chances - Sam Higgins volleying wide and Tom Champion firing over when well placed - before Ahmed Deen pounced to fire home a rebound after United keeper Alessio De Angelis had parried Higgins' powerful shot on 41 minutes.

However, Hayes were back in front before the half time whistle when Steve Perkins headed home a Saroya free kick.

But Stortford stole a share of the spoils late on after confusion in the United goalmouth led to Pearson's equaliser.

Higgins should have won it late on, but the forward turned Rob Gillman's cross over from only six yards out.

Monday's match up with basement boys Sutton proved more straight forward.

Higgins got the ball rolling with his first for the club on the quarter hour mark, heading in Jason Mason's corner from only six yards out.

Edwards extended the lead with an accurate low shot past keeper Kevin Davies soon after.

And the midfielder scored his second, and his side's third, early in the second half, heading Pearson's flick on past Davies.

The visitors dominated the remaining moments as Blues eased down.

Rob Hughes' free kick hit the crossbar before Jason Goodchild latched onto a thorugh ball to poke past Joe Welch into the empty net to reduced the defecit.

But Stortford held on for the points to keep themself in fifth place.

They travel to fellow play-off contenders Eastleigh on Saturday.

6:22pm Tuesday 25th March 2008

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