This turned out to be a routine win for County against a Bedford side who have been out of their depth in Conference South since their promotion last season. The day was a fateful one for The Eagles whose relegation was confirmed at 4.45 p.m. with relegation battlers Hayes picking up maximum points and consigning their rivals to the drop.
Bedford frustrated the home side in a second half in which they toiled in the sun in their attempt to enhance their goal difference. It mattered little as County were already home and dry courtesy of first half goals from Charlie Griffin and Craig Hughes.

Griffin was given the freedom of the penalty area in the 19th minute and kept his composure to run across the defence and drag his shot past the stranded
Andrew Stevens. Craig Hughes who had earlier missed the target with a back header doubled the lead six minutes later. Strike partner Griffin played the perfect through ball for Hughes to beat the off side trap and finish with ease from eight yards.

Jacob Giles was equal to Bedford's only serious attempt on goal, saving Ian Draycott's rising shot on the stroke of half time. Bedford worked hard after the interval but offered no threat to an assured home defence. Stevens, who had made a miraculous one handed save from Charlie Griffin's looping header in the first half was in constant action throughout the second but was not beaten again despite everything the home attack threw at his goal.

Stevens made a point blank save to deny Hughes a second and was relieved to see Ian Hillier's header bounce off the bar to safety from Richard Evans' corner. Draycott came closest to salvaging something for the visitors but could not connect with Aaron Cavill's cross. Stevens made a second exceptional save from Hughes, this time with his foot, as the promotion hopefuls pressed forward.

As the referee drew the match to a close the reality dawned on the visitors that their time had come and their relegation was now confirmed.

County have 24 points to play for in their quest for the play offs whereas their visitors must regroup in readiness for life outside the conference.

County now travel to Hayes on Wednesday and face the in form Salisbury City at home next Saturday.

Line Ups:

County: Giles, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Brough (C), Hillier, O'Sullivan, Collier (Simpson 57), Griffin (Bassett 82), Hughes (Holdsworth 73), Evans Subs Not Used: Bowen, Ovendale

Bedford: Stevens, Knight, Howarth, Grieve, Hoyte, Miller, Stupple, Cavill (Garner 86), James (Arojogun 46), Draycott, Lyons (Cole 82) Subs Note Used Bimson, Phillips 

Scorers:
County: Charlie Griffin (19) and Craig Hughes (25)
 

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