Real Bedford again showed character on the road to complete another sound victory against Moulton, this time at Brunting Road. A goal either side of half-time ensured the win for The Pirates, completing the double over 7th placed Moulton having thrashed them 5-0 at McMullen Park a month earlier.

After a stop-start opening 15 minutes in which the referee spoke to both teams, Moulton's George Wingrove had the first chance to open the scoring. Wingrove pounced on a loose ball from Dan Walker and drove towards the edge of the box before unleashing a shot from range, only for it to whistle over the bar, causing no problems for Real Bedford keeper Tyler McGregor.

The referee continued to dominate the game, and Real Bedford found themselves temporarily down to 10 men, with Tom Wood sent to the sin bin after politely asking the referee about a questionable offside decision.

Luke Knight shifted into the middle of the back three, providing cover for Wood as Moulton attempted to take advantage of the additional player, and it wasn't long before they took the lead. A superb pass down the line from Moulton's replacement Roberts found Joey Evans in space. Running into the box, he sidestepped James Ducket and shot the ball through McGregor's legs. Claston Gorden, who recently signed for Bedford from Moulton, cleared the ball on the line, only for the ball to rebound into the net off the back of McGregor. One for the Spartan Dubious Goals Committee.

While Moulton dominated the opening 40 minutes, with Tom Wood returning to the action, the Pirates clicked into gear, becoming more comfortable with the 4G pitch and creating several opportunities to level the game before the half-time whistle. First, Harry Murray tested the goal; Gordon, a constant threat to Moulton, skipped round two tackles before squaring the ball to Eddie Corbit, who found Murray in the box, and the makeshift winger cut towards goal but shot just wide.

Next up, Jordan Brown rattled the bar with a half-volley from the resulting corner, with the striker unlucky not to add to his tally for the season. As the clock ticked into the red, Real Bedford had one last attack. James Ducket picked up the ball from Corbit and placed a clever ball to Jim Burnside at the edge of the box. The returning striker played a one-two with Dan Walker, beating the Moulton defence and toe-poked the ball in the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, sending the teams in level at half-time.

Second Half

Bedford dominated the second half, and Moulton will consider themselves lucky to only lose by one goal. By controlling play and possession, The Pirates were quickly in the lead after a wonder strike from Harry Murray. Luke Knight picked up a loose ball in midfield and found James Ducket, and the defender squared the ball to Murray, who beat the keeper with a thunderbolt from 25 yards, opening his account for Bedford.

Now in the driving seat, Real Bedford's next chance came just after the hour mark; this time Jordan Brown the creator. Moulton had recognised the threat from Brown and had targeted him all afternoon on and off the ball. Brown continued to forage away and Bedford nearly made it three on 65 minutes when he played the ball to Corbit, who crossed into the box to Burnside, but his header failed to test the goalkeeper.

Next, it was the turn of Claston Gordon to have a go from range, testing his former teammate Felipe Mederios in goal. Running rings around the Moulton defence, he found space, and his knuckleball shot required an instinctive parry from the keeper to prevent Bedford from increasing their lead.

The day didn't get any easier for Moulton FC as the referee presented Jack Mullally with a second yellow card and an early shower. Unable to cope with Jordan Brown's pace, the Moulton midfielder kicked out at Brown, giving the referee no choice but to show him a deserved second yellow card.

With 20 minutes to play and the rain falling, Bedford continued to pepper the Moulton goal. Jordan Brown had the next chance; latching onto a header from Burnside, he entered the box, but his chip was well saved by Mederios. Soon after, Burnside nearly scored again, but his shot was just wide of the post. Luke Knight followed this with a trademark 25-yard free-kick, his effort forcing a great save from the impressive Mederios, Moulton's best player on the day.

Bedford's failure to close out the game invited Moulton to push for an equaliser, and a late flurry of chances put the pressure on the league leaders. The home side will perhaps consider themselves unlucky not to have secured a point when McGregor, once again, pulled off an outstanding injury-time save to ensure the win for Bedford and maintain their 100% record on the road.

Rob Sinclair's men now have a week to prepare for their away fixture against Step 5 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in the Gladwish Trophy. The fixture will test Bedford's progress as they face higher-level opposition in the cup next Saturday (29th October).

RBFC: McGregor, Murray (McLeod-Bentley 86’), Gordon, Ducket, Wood, Uttridge, Corbit, Knight ©, Brown, Walker (McGrath 78’) Burnside.

Unused Subs: Culley, Baker-Bond.