Leverstock Green's poor run of results continued with a fourth straight league defeat. Former boss Mick Vipond brought his Berkhamsted side to Pancake Lane for the first time, and inevitably three of the five former Green players in his side appeared on the scoresheet. The game turned on two second half penalty decisions, neither of which went in favour of the Green.

The first half was a largely scrappy affair which saw Berkhamsted have more of the ball but Leverstock have the better chances. One of the former Green players Dale Sears headed over the bar from a Berko corner in the 10th minute, and Josh Chamberlain shot just wide in the 21st minute.

At the other end Seldyn Grant shot into the side netting from six yards out on 27 minute. The best chance of the half came on 38 minutes when a cross from Bekim Culaj just eluded Louis Austin but fell for Kevin Gallen, making one of his rare Green appearances. Gallen had a clear sight of goal but a combination of keeper Eddie Farmer and a defender heading off the line kept the ball out. Gallen shot wide from another good chance in first half stoppage time.

For the third game in a row Leverstock got to the break with the game goalless, and as in the previous two games they made a good start to the second half. Another good chance was created on 49 minutes when Lee Bircham's channel ball put Austin through to square for Gallen, but again he shot wide.

The Green couldn't turn their good play into a goal, and again they paid the price by falling behind. Two former Green players combined as Frankie Jowle crossed for Sears to head Berko into a 55th minute lead.

The first key penalty decision came shortly afterwards as Austin was clearly tripped inside the box, but despite most people in the ground expecting the referee to point to the spot, he played on. Leverstock almost went two goals down on 64 minutes. Jowle played in Chamberlain, whose shot went across the face of goal, but Sears came in to finish off only to be denied by a great save from Carl Tasker.

Steve Heath then made his first change with Adam Hallissey replacing Grant, and within a minute the Green were back in the game. Gallen played in Austin, who squared into the box, and Dan Griggs blasted home a low shot from near the penalty spot to level the scores at 1-1.

For a while Leverstock looked to be in the ascendency, with Gallen hitting a shot from distance just over the bar on 71 minutes. However, they were knocked back again by a dubious penalty decision two minutes later. There was little or no contact from Griggs' challenge on Chamberlain, but the striker went down theatrically and the referee pointed to the spot, again to the disbelief of most in the ground. Jowle put away the penalty to put Berko back in front at 2-1.

Lewis Pritchard came off the bench as Leverstock went to three up front, but there was to be no comeback from Leverstock this time, and a third goal in stoppage time rubbed further salt in the wounds as Tasker let a soft shot from Matt Wardle through his legs when it would have been easier to gather it with his hands.

Steve Heath has some work to do to pick up his team, which is low on confidence and morale, but they must start picking up points soon to hold onto a place in the top half of the table. Hopefully they can start with next Saturday's visit to Broxbourne Borough.