Despite the difference in the league standings, Punjab United were pushed all the way by relegated Stansfeld before winning a tight Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division encounter.

It took a solitary goal from Roman Campbell with just over fifteen minutes remaining to decide the match and ease the hosts into the top five, and the final play-off place.

Neither team mustered a goal effort until midway through the first half when Stansfeld’s Jack Calvert fired over from twenty yards. Jack Hopkins then got on the end of a William Johnson-Cole cross for Punjab but his cushioned header missed the target.

Johnson-Cole then slung in another centre from the left, evading everyone, and Stansfeld goalkeeper Cemal Osman had to get down to stop it from sneaking inside the far post. Osman was again called into action when Wayne Bushell’s free kick from the left bounced into his arms.

Shortly before half time, Bushell knocked down a Johnson-Cole corner and Harry Ottaway poked it past the post.

Early in the second period, Lee Bird twisted and shot beyond the far post then a Hopkins volley from the edge of the area flew well over.

At the other end, Stansfeld substitute Jordon Patterson was unable to get over a deep Rob Hughes cross and it floated wide.

Ottaway misdirected a header past the post after a cross was half cleared before the hosts broke the deadlock. Stephen Ratcliff’s corner was headed out as far as Campbell and his volley from outside the penalty area took a slight deflection as it flew just inside the post.

There were no further chances until stoppage time when Campbell shrugged off his man before shooting narrowly wide from twenty yards.

Games are coming thick and fast for Punjab and they have a home match against Hythe Town on Thursday evening before visiting Snodland Town on Saturday. One win would guarantee a play-off place while success in both would see them finish in third place should Rusthall fail to win at Holmesdale.   

Punjab United: Beeney; Lewin-Thomas, W. Bushell, Ratcliff, Gill; Singh, Bird; Hopkins (Dawson 80); Johnson-Cole (R. Campbell 46), Ottaway, Scudder (J. Campbell 84).

Subs not used: O. Bushell, Monger. 

Goalscorer: R. Campbell (74) 

Yellow cards: Ratcliff (20 foul), Bird (90+2 foul)

Stansfeld: Osman, Kempton, Malyon, Cook, McCormack; Wallis, Andrews (Patterson 80), English; Calvert (Olla 73), Kufour (Bain 75), Hughes.

Subs not used: Jeffery, Almond.

Goal scorers: None

Yellow cards: Calvert (29 foul), Wallis (88 foul)

Referee: Mark Roberts

Assistant Referees: Alexis Stacchini and Steven Martin

Attendance: 125