Hednesford’s title hopes appear all-but-over after  defeat to league leaders Eastwood Town.

The Pitmen’s cause was not helped with the first-half dismissal of debutant Florent Raimy.

Dean Edwards’ side started well and an early chance was wasted when Sean Platt got behind the defence after exchanging passes with Elliott Durrell, only to place his cross straight into the defender on the near post.

Mark Hume went close for the visitors but the centre-back headed just over the bar.

A rare scoring chance fell for the Pitmen when on-loan Matt Lewis kept the ball in play on the left. He pulled the ball back inside for Durrell, whose first time volley was blocked.

Sean Platt controlled the loose ball and hit a shot from 20 yards which was deflected just past the post.

A minute later the Pitmen were down to 10 men. Raimy made one lunging tackle too many and the Benin International received a straight red.

Early in the second half, Lindon Meikle was allowed to make a run to the edge of the area from where he hit a shot straight at Danny Woodhall.

The only goal of the game came in the 61st minute and was a pure fluke.

Eastwood full-back Russell Cooke hit a high cross from the left. The ball bounced in the penalty area and hit Andy Todd on the head, which resulted in the ball being deflected into the right hand side of the net with Woodhall stranded on his goal line.

The Badgers had a goal disallowed in the 68th minute after Danny Holland was ruled offside as he followed up Holmes’ 25-yard shot.

Woodhall made a great save in the 70th minute, tipping over from Meikle.

Dyer was denied a goal when Cooke threw his body in the way to block the Pitmen’s joint leading goal scorer’s shot from six yards.

Holland should have made the game safe for the visitors in the 83rd minute when Holmes was clear on the right. He picked Holland out but Woodhall pushed the shot away.

A late chance fell to Ross Draper but his firm shot was saved by Redmond. The Pitmen have now lost six of their last seven and slipped to third place.

The match against Ilkeston Town is now a must-win game as the next two fixtures are against teams battling for a play-off place, which now must be the target for the rest of the season.

Hednesford: Woodhall, Platt, Cowley, Gill, Harvey, Marshall, Raimy, Durrell, Lewis (Barnett 59),Dyer (Darby 86), Draper.

Subs not used: Hall, Maguire, Briggs

Attendance: 860