FT: Hitchin Town 1-0 Royston Town: Toby Syme (90). Top Field Attendance 834.

Hitchin Town beat Royston Town with a last-gasp winner from Toby Syme to clinch a dramatic victory in the A505 North Herts derby in the Easter sunshine.

In front of a bumper Easter crowd of 834 spectators, the club's highest league crowd of the season, Top Field erupted with joy following Syme's late header.

Earlier, Steve Castle's Crows nearly went ahead in the 20th minute but No9 Matthew Bateman's effort was cleared off the line by the influential Syme - matchwinner and player of the match - who was alert to danger.

Captained by the redoubtable Adam Murray, the visitors from the other end of the A505 proved obdurate opponents against Mark Burke's Canaries, in a first half full of hard work and endeavour from both sides, if not decisive quality in the final third from sides that started the day in 12th and 13th place in Southern League Premier Central.

The home team came out fired-up for the second half, with No7 Diogo Freitas-Gouveia thudding the woodwork with an effort that had Crows' keeper Dimitrious Kyriatzis beaten moments after the interval.

The ball rebounded, immediately falling to Canaries No9 Jack Snellus, who unleashed a powerful drive that also smacked against the woodwork, and away to safety - leaving the crowd full of wonder at the entertainment they had just witnessed, albeit drama that narrowly failed to produce a goal the exciting spell deserved.

On a gloriously sunny spring afternoon, the dangerous Freitas-Gouveia fired a late free-kick that former Stevenage defender Ronnie Henry bravely blocked - Boro's record appearance maker with 502 - bravely taking the ball full of the chest, that momentarily floored him, prior to former Sours academy graduate regaining his standing and his composure, as befitted such a servant of the game.

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There was still time for Royston to conduct forays deep into Canaries territory, in a hard-fought derby clash that saw both sides battle gamely from first till last.

As the clock ticked down the Canaries dangerous Freitas-Gouveia powered forward with only Kyriatzis to beat, but the talented No7 failed to convert, with the chance eventually going begging, with a corner the only reward.

However, that was before Syme nodded home with moments remaining to win this absorbing derby for Burke's battling Canaries.

No wonder legendary stalwart and club secretary Roy Izzard was a delighted man after the match, that saw this wonderful club with deep roots in its community pick up three points after Syme's last-gasp winner.