Hitchin Town 3 Hemel Hempstead Town 2
Hemel Hempstead Town manager Dean Brennan has urged the Tudors not to panic after their play-off hopes were dealt another blow against Hitchin.
At one stage, Hemel had a 12-point cushion in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division play-off places, but this has been cut to just three points in recent weeks.
Brennan, though, insists he is still confident his side can clinch a top-five spot.
“Things are still in our own hands,” he said. “There is no panic and we will have learn a lot from the last few weeks.
“The next two matches are massive games for this football club and we know we’ve got a job to do.
“There can be no excuses – it’s in our hands and it is going to test everyone. We’ve just got to stay positive.”
It was a bitter blow for Hemel on Saturday – with former Tudor favourite Lewis Toomey doing the damage for Hitchin.
The hosts started well and it was no surprise when they went ahead after 10 minutes courtesy of a glancing header from Toomey.
Hemel levelled things up through Steve O’Leary, but Toomey delivered a superb two-goal salvo in the space of a minute just before the interval to complete his hat-trick.
Dave Pearce pulled one back for the Tudors, but Hitchin held on for the win.