Victory returned to North London when division one whippingboys-turned-champions Tring came to visit.

With a string of improving performances behind them, Mill Hill knew it was only a matter of time before they registered their first points in the top division. The visitors, who must have known the match was likely to be a relegation six-pointer brought two unfamiliar items to Compton - a full set of matching training tops and a substitute. But their attempt at professionalism was comprehensively undermined when it emerged they had forgotten their entire playing kit.

Nevertheless the vistors started the game stronger, drawing a series of sharp saves from Mill Hill's best summer signing, goalkeeper Mike. They also started winning short corners on demand, exposing the lack of pace in the middle of the home defence. But a failure to capitalise on these set plays ultimately turned out to be the deciding factor in the game as Mill Hill's swift counterattacks became increasingly incisive.

Mill Hill too the lead for the first time this season, when a mazy run and cross from Ryan Sclanders left veteran Mike Solomons with a simple tap in at the far post. The same combination doubled Mill Hill's lead minutes later when Sclanders fired a short corner across the goal for Solomons to deflect in.

However the home team were dealt a serious blow before half-time when the combative Craig McIntyre sustained a nasty injury to his shoulder after being clumsily bundled to the ground.

While he gamely played on as a lone one-armed bandit up front, Mill Hill were effectively down to ten. The inequality of the sides didn't last far into the second period though, as three Tring players in succession talked themselves off the pitch. Mill Hill's Ian Namey and Nick Warr also received sin binnings but their sendings off only galvanized their team mates, especially when Tring wasted a gold chance to cut back the deficit, spuring an open goal on the one occasion they managed to get round Mill Hill redoubtable keeper.  McIntyre proved his mettle to extend the home teams lead, battling though the pain barrier to force the ball home for a third goal.

The only way Tring looked like scoring was with a helping hand from the officials and they got it when Dan Stockill was harshly conceded a flick.

Unbowed, Mill Hill pressed back, Sclanders went round the keeper for the fourth and the game was well and truly over when he deflected a Namey cross shot into the net. The rightback made it six moments later in almost identical fashion when a defender nudged his fierce strike into his own goal.

Though Tring pulled one back, it was scant consolation. Mill Hill have something to celebrate at last.

had the first sign that things might not be going there way when their kit bag failed to turn up.