Bedford Town 4 Petersfield Town 1: PETERSFIELD’S dismal form on the road continued as they succumbed to Bedford’s pressure during the second half.

This defeat can be added to a run of 15 league matches away from home without a win – the last time Petersfield picked up three points on their travels was on January 23 when they beat Royston Town 3-2.

The last away win of any description came on February 3 last season when the Rams beat Christchurch 6-0 in the Russell Cotes Cup.

This threatened to be a different day for the long suffering Petersfield away support after a strong performance in the first half but the Rams fell away badly as the home side took full control of the match in the second period.

The opening goal came from the first attack of note in the game when Jemale McKenzie-Lowe got on the end of a long through ball and his low shot at the near post was saved by keeper George Hill.

The resulting corner was half cleared to the edge of the penalty area and when a Bedford player tried a first time shot it smashed straight into his team mate, looped up in the air and fell to Nathan Frater, who headed the home side in front on 16 minutes.

However, Petersfield drew level two minutes later when Alex Miroy won a free kick on the right. He curled the ball to the edge of the six yard box and Jordan Geddes timed his run to perfection when he met the cross and side footed the ball under keeper Ashley Harris and into the net.

Hill had to be alert to keep Bedford out on 23 minutes when Hammed Lewal found some space inside the box and the Rams keeper spread himself well to be able to make a fine one handed save to keep the shot out.

Five minutes later and the home side threatened to score again when McKenzie-Lowe was put clear after good build up play down the right and his shot took a deflection on its way to hitting the outside of the post.

Ten minutes into the second half Bedford had the ball in the net when a header at the far post went over Hill and in but it was ruled out for offside.

Lewal missed a completely open goal from close range after good build up play saw the ball crossed to him but it went under his foot. Devante Stanley then found some space in midfield before curling a shot in on goal but Hill made an easy save.

The home side eventually took the lead in the 68th minute in what were very controversial circumstances as far as Petersfield were concerned. A minute earlier Stanley had been put clear inside the box and tried to take the ball past Hill but was sent tumbling by the challenge.

No penalty was given for that incident but it was when the same player performed the same move and this time Hill clearly won the ball with his sliding tackle but the Bedford player took a tumble and the referee pointed to the spot. Luke Knight buried his spot kick in the bottom corner of the net.

With eight minutes remaining the home side capitalised on the gaps left by Petersfield as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Frater latched on to a long ball through the middle, took the ball around Hill but fired his shot into the side netting.

Bedford got their third goal two minutes later when Petersfield were caught pushing forward again, substitute Phil Draycott took the ball forward before trying to square a pass across goal. Hill got a hand to the ball but it rolled to Lee Roache who rolled his shot into the empty net.

Extra salt was rubbed into the Rams’ wounds in the third minute of injury time when Bedford won a free kick 30 yards out and Draycott curled his effort around the Petersfield wall and into the bottom corner of the net.

Petersfield: Hill, B Neal, Graham, Whittingham, Page (Palfrey), Geddes, Miroy (Corsaro), Giles, Coker (J Neal), Simmonds, Judd.