HALLEN climbed to the top of the Screwfix League Division One on Wednesday night with a narrow win over out-of-form Westbury United.

United have now lost six out of their last seven matches but manager Derek Graham was encouraged by the performance.

He said: "We played quite well on Wednesday and I don't think we deserved to lose.

"They scored with their only real shot of the game although if I am being honest we did not create many chances either.

"We tried to tighten up at the back after conceding so many goals and although that worked I think we suffered up front."

This was a very tight match, played in calm conditions, and Hallen's no-nonsense defensive play showed why they have conceded the fewest goals in the league.

Their winning goal came courtesy of a well-worked set piece midway through the first half.

Fidel Richards played the ball out wide and ran unmarked to the back post to receive a cross from Richard Nelmes and score with ease past Mark Batters.

Little else happened in the first half. The closest United came was when Paul Beavers fired over from the edge of the box on 33 minutes.

Mark Pearce was possibly lucky to only be booked on 35 minutes when he fouled Leon Simpson with the gangly forward seemingly running through on goal.

United played with much more determination after the break and their vastly improved defensive play, led by Russell Fishlock, kept Hallen at bay.

On 47 minutes Jerad O'Pray played the ball to Lee Carpenter but his goalbound strike was blocked by Paul Owen. O'Pray himself saw a shot blocked 10 minutes later.

The best chance fell to Steve Perkins on 61 minutes after a free kick by Nick Beales. He should at least have hit the target from a narrow angle but fired across the face of goal.

With Hallen showing little attacking play their defending became nervy towards the end but United were unable to take advantage as the match drifted to it's conclusion.

Westbury entertain Clevedon United tomorrow before travelling to Bristol Manor Farm on Tuesday night

With top scorer Toby Colbourne already out for the season, the injury situation has taken another turn for the worse with young reserve keeper Lewis Porter also being ruled out for the season after damaging his ankle ligaments.