Harefield United came back from 3-1 down with two goals in the final ten minutes to ensure all three points stayed at Preston Park against Newport Pagnell Town.

Harry McCorkell opened the scoring from close range in what was an impressive display across the park for the full back, before Josh Crawley netted after the bounce on his awkward strike got the better of Jacob Ballheimer.

The half-time break was sandwiched in-between the visitors’ second and third, both regrettable goals for Jason Shaw’s men to concede which included an Elliot Dobbs own goal to then conceding straight from the restart.

It was Sam Shaw who started and completed the comeback for United, firstly from the spot and then from the edge of the area with just two minutes left on the clock, with Richard Pacquette chipping in with a headed effort.

The result brought about the conclusion of Newport Pagnell’s unbeaten run in the league, all the while extending Harefield’s own 100% start ahead of the local derby against Wembley on Tuesday.

The opening five minutes saw a home outfit heavily under the cosh, with Newport Pagnell’s wings being the focal points of the visitors' attacking outlet.

Josh Crawley and Luke Dunstan’s football was very easy on the eye, with their back-to-goal hold up play and deft passing remaining a thorn in the side of United’s defence.

Just as defensive frailties became evident at one end of the park, Richard Pacquette countered with Harefield’s first chance.

Lenny Farhall latched onto a loose ball in the attacking third, finding Sam Shaw who then released the former Dominican international, who was afforded enough time for multiple touches but lashed the ball over.

Crawley would carry on in the same vein of deft footwork as he controlled a pinpoint ball from Mo Ahmed but Ballheimer done well to read the strikers intentions and saved his attempt.

After being the side least likely of the two to break the deadlock, indeed it was Harefield’s Harry McCorkell to put his team into the lead with a strike reminiscent to that of Joe Clifton’s against Tring Athletic last matchday.

The versatile McCorkell, who covered at left back in the second half after starting in the middle of the park, smashed home a first-time effort in and around the six-yard area with his left foot.

It took less than ten minutes for Town's reply to arrive, perhaps coming in the form of a savable strike as Josh Crawley caught everyone on the hop, swivelling and sending a 'yorker'-style shot bouncing over the ‘keeper.

Harefield eyed up Charlie Jones’ sweeper tactic as a possible flaw when Richard Pacquette linked with partner Lenny Farhall, sending a long floating ball over the back line but the latter’s vicious poke was read well.

A late flourish in the half from Newport Pagnell was capped off with Elliot Dobbs’ own goal, with the full back being unable to sort out his footing after Leigh Stevens’ delivery, nabbing the lead at just the right time.

Hardly anyone could believe their eyes as Crawley bagged his brace straight from the kick-off from the break.

The warning signs of his capable partnership with Luke Dunstan were ever present in the opening half, but the two directly dovetailed and scored with the opening possession, cutting through the Hares’ defence like a knife through butter and establish a two goal cushion.

Surprisingly it seemed that Gary Flinn‘s side were most vulnerable when they concede, as their influence in the game seemed to deplete soon after in a combination of complacency and weariness of a Harefield onslaught.

Pacquette’s chance to pull one back was dashed with a goal line clearance from Christian Smail, but it was Farhall’s purposeful and resolute sprint that drew the foul from to give Sam Shaw the chance from the spot.

The set-piece specialist made no mistake with an emphatic finish- the fact that Harefield were on the war path thereafter was made none more so evident than Lenny Farhall just missing out after he directed his header onto the far post and almost into the net but for Jones‘ intervention.

Jones was called upon again between the sticks against a familiar foe in Farhall, this time with the youngster cutting inside at the edge of the box and placing the ball within reach of the former’s left side.

The growing sense of inevitability of a leveller came with two opportunities for Pacquette, one of which was executed.

With the first chance going begging at the behest of the crossbar, the striker made sure second time around from the resulting corner with a dominant aerial finish.

After spending some time on the ground after securing his first league goal of the season, Pacquette arose and completed the game, with assurance from assistant manager Michael Molokwu post-game that the brief time on the sideline was nothing to worry about.

What was not anticipated however, was a winner.

With United's third coming five minutes from time against a team competing for promotion last year, and likely to keep up the same form this year for that matter, a draw would have been a more than adequate result from Newport Pagnell’s visit to Breakspear Road.

Sam Shaw had other ideas though.

After collecting a ball from substitute Tash Jordan, Shaw let fly on his weaker foot from the edge of the box a matter of minutes after the third and into the red zone on the clock; notching the second brace of the afternoon, sending the home crowd into scenes of elation and crucially ensuring three points for the Hares.

Harefield United Team:
Jacob Ballheimer (GK)
Elliot Dobbs
Steven Green
Joe Clifton
Harry McCorkell
Sean Mangan (c)
Thomas Payne
Richard Pacquette
Lenny Farhall
Samuel Shaw
Paul Underwood

Subs:
Luke Baldwin
Tashan Jordan (Used)
Rob Ratcliffe (Used)
Foday Sesay
Lindal Stewart

Newport Pagnell Town Team:
Charlie Jones (gk)
Adam Pryke
Jack Menday
Christian Smail
Adam Hulk
Tom Gurney
Sammy Olawale
Leigh Stevens
Josh Crawley
Luke Dunstan
Mo Ahmed

Subs:
James Sage
Jim Burnside (Used)
Jake Stronge
Michael Lyons (Used)