Worthing 1 Hendon 2 Ryman League Premier Division by DAVID BALLHEIMER Hendon achieved their pre-season goal of safety from relegation with this fine 2-1 victory over relegated Worthing at sunny Woodside Road on Saturday.

With Jamie Busby suspended, Darragh Duffy returned to the starting line-up, allowing Takumi Ake to drop a little deeper, a role he filled admirably in giving his most complete performance for more than six months.

The Greens made a bright start and should have taken the lead after six minutes. Duffy was unmarked as he rose to meet a corner at the far post, but he powered his effort over.

Duffy atoned for this error five minutes later. Put through down the inside left, he had a clear run at goal with only Rikki Banks to beat.

Wayne O'Sullivan arrived late in the area and screamed for a pass. With Banks shifting his weight, just in case, the ball was passed across the box, Duffy quickly slipped the ball inside the unguarded near post.

Worthing gave ample evidence of why they have been relegated. Though their attackers, Omari Coleman and Jamie Brotherton, looked dangerous when given chances, their accuracy was lacking and three good chances were blazed over.

At the other end, every Hendon attack looked like it might end with a goal and Duffy should have completed a 20-minute hat-trick when he had another clear run at goal, but he smashed his shot straight at Banks.

Hendon doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute. Ake went over rather theatrically following a clumsy challenge to earn a free-kick. He took the free-kick himself and James Parker ran in to meet the ball with a diving header. His failure to connect was enough to force Banks to delay his dive and the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

In the 43rd minute, Brotherton saw Richard Wilmot save a close-range effort. The big goalkeeper made an even better stop early in the second half, somehow denying Coleman from less than six yards out.

Duffy had another chance after 67 minutes, but the Irishman was denied by a good save from Banks.

Worthing hit a late consolation through Ben Andrews, but it could not spoil Hendon's day.

Assistant manager Freddie Hyatt said: "We told the players in the dressing room that the job had not been done quite yet and they responded brilliantly. Their commitment was 100 per cent and the attitude was spot on."

HENDON: Wilmot, J Burgess, Vargas (Rose 69), Leach, Parker, Ake, D Haule, O'Sullivan, Duffy (Pickett 75), Hudson,Aiteouakrim (Rouco 78). Subs not used: I Guentchev, Morris.