Real Bedford produced a hard-fought victory over play-off pushing Northampton Sileby Rangers in a scrappy affair at McMullen Park. The Pirates put the game to bed in the first half, where a brace from Jordan Brown completed the comeback from an early goal, before a sending-off changed the game's complexion for both sides.

It will be hard to find a more action-packed first five minutes across this weekend's football as both teams got on the scoresheet early on in the game. Northampton struck first when Sileby winger Taylor picked up the ball after some loose Real Bedford defending, before squaring it across the face of the goal for Burrows to tap into an empty net. A far from ideal start for the home side.

Real Bedford looked to strike back immediately and were level within a minute. Some good interplay between Eddie Corbit and Tom Hitchcock in the middle of the park set the young midfielder flying down the left wing. Corbit's low-driven cross into the box telegraphed towards Jordan Brown, giving the striker a perfect chance to smash the ball into the roof of the net to level the game.

Hitchcock was at the heart of things again, creating the goal to give The Pirates all three points, picking up the ball from a poor Northampton clearance before putting a delectable through ball over the heads of Sileby defenders into the path of Jordan Brown. The prolific Bedford striker controlled the ball with his chest before pushing it past the keeper and into the back of the net.

Brown threatened to complete an early hat-trick moments later, but this time his shot was blocked, falling to the waiting Claston Gordon, who drove the ball back into the area before being dispossessed.

While Northampton would have felt they could get back into the game, they were reduced to 10 men in the 25th minute. Brown lashed out a poor challenge on Sileby Rangers' Luke Stevens, who replied with a strike to Brown's face, forcing the referee to produce a red card.

Bedford continued to push for a third goal, with Archie Culley coming closest but for a block, pushing the shot out for a corner.

Second Half

Northampton came out for the second half looking to limit opportunities for Bedford while pushing for an equaliser on the break. With ten men, they defended deep, forcing Real Bedford to be creative to make chances.

Those chances did arrive, and Jordan Brown nearly made it three on the hour mark after James Ducket fed a ball over the top of the defence. Brown squared the ball to Hitchcock in the area, who rattled the bar with a thunderous strike leaving him with his head in his hands and inches away from putting the game to bed.

Ten minutes later, another ball from Ducket to Brown unlocked the Northampton backline. Brown put in a similar ball this time towards Corbit, but his attempt from the edge of the box whistled just wide of the post as Real Bedford continued to search for that all-important third goal.

Heading into the game's closing stages, the well-organised Northampton continued to look for opportunities on the break, but they were reduced to 9 men when ill-discipline sent their defender to the sin bin.

Real Bedford pushed for the final goal, and a threaded ball from replacement Stuart Sinclair found Dan Walker on the right flank, who crossed the ball towards Tom Hitchcock at the front post, but his effort faded across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick.

It was Walker again down the right-hand side just before the final whistle that gave Real Bedford their last chance of the game. A break from The Pirates saw four attackers running at two in defence. Still, Northampton thwarted the attack, with Jordan Brown's chance blocked after Walker found the striker from out wide, denying him the opportunity to bag another hat-trick. Nevertheless, Bedford was rarely challenged in their box, allowing them to rest on their one-goal advantage and take all three points from this tough fixture.

A special mention to Northampton, who defended well with 10 men, showing real character to keep the game goalless after the sending off.

Real Bedford looks to continue their momentum heading into a long stretch of games as they welcome Wellingborough Whitworth to McMullen Park on Tuesday, 14th February. Tickets are available online to come and support the boys on their final push for the title race.

RBFC: McGregor, Hartley (R. Ducket, 24’), Gordon, Knight, Wood, J. Ducket, Culley (S. Sinclair, 85’), Corbit, Hitchcock, Owusu (Walker, 67’), Brown

Unused Subs: A. Sinclair, Uttridge.