Two first half goals, one from Lawrence Yaku, the other a Barrie Matthews penalty, were enough to ensure Hampton came away with maximum points and maintain their unbeaten away run stretching back to the trip to Weymouth on April 16, writes Darryn McCleave.

This game never looked in doubt once the Beavers grabbed a commanding lead, this despite the home side dominating possession in the second half, they rarely troubled Matt Lovett, but that was in part down to a solid visiting back-line.

The only dampener on the afternoon came in the closing stages when James Simmonds saw red for a second bookable offence, somewhat harshly I might add.

Hampton boss Alan Devonshire sprang a couple of surprises before kick-off, deciding to rest strikers Dave Tarpey and Charlie Moone from the starting line-up, bringing in Yaku for his first start of the season alongside a fully fit Ian Hodges who has had to settle for a bench warming role for the last few games following his groin injury.

Also coming into the side was Lloyd Boateng, the centre-back who was involved during pre-season but was making his first league start here.

With Boateng joining Dave Stevens and skipper Dean Wells in the back three, Dean Inman was pushed further up field to join Nathan Collier in central midfield with Simmonds out on the left.

On a sunny day in Hertfordshire it was the home side who exerted the first bit of pressure, Scott Shulton hitting an effort over the bar from around 20 yards in the opening couple of minutes.

However it was the Beavers who got off to a flying start, getting the ball down in midfield, Inman worked it out to the right where Simmonds and Danny Allen-Page combined before the latter delivered an inch perfect cross to the far post where Yaku made no mistake with his header as Hampton, wearing their all yellow changed strip, surged into a seventh minute lead.

Unsurprisingly the Blues of Stortford were seeking an immediate response to going behind, Inman getting in a good block to thwart Matt Judge, and Shulton again coming in from the left showing his willingness to get in an effort, this time firing straight into the arms of Lovett.

The visitors were playing some good football in patches, one move involving Yaku and Barrie Matthews coming to an end when Hodges had strayed into an offside position.

Stortford's Josh Llewellyn got in an effort that Lovett easily smothered, and Lovett did well to punch clear a dangerous corner from Shulton as the Blues continued to seek level terms.

Hampton were by no means being outplayed, seeing plenty of the ball and creating opportunities. A long ball ball by Inman saw Hodges flick the ball into the path of Yaku, who got a strike in at the near post which home 'keeper Nicky Eyre got down to save comfortably.

The oddly named Sanchez Ming showed a good touch to get in a turn and shot from the edge of the box which sailed over for the hosts, but it was the Beavers who were moments away from the next goal.

Half an hour exactly had gone on the clock when Collier lofted a ball into the box for Hodges, who was clattered into from behind by Blues captain Matt Jones.

Referee Mr Quelch, who had not exactly endeared himself to the home fans up to this point, incensed them further by immediately pointing to the spot.

With Tarpey, who had missed Hampton's only spot kick this season, on the bench, Matthews, once the regular taker himself, stepped up to confidently send Eyre the wrong way as he struck it to the right.

Bishop's Stortford seemed stunned to find themselves two down, and the game entered a brief lull before the home side began to create a sustained period of pressure as the first half came to a close, although they failed to produce any real threat of note.

As to be expected the home side came out all guns blazing after the break as they sought a way back into the match, and a desperate lunge by Simmonds saw him be shown the first caution of the afternoon.

The pace and trickery of Ming was causing concern down the Hampton left, twisting and turning Matthews inside out before finally delivering a cross for Judge who struck his effort low and wide of Lovett's left hand post.

But Hampton should have gone three up on the hour mark, a ball over the top by Wells beating a static Blues defence as Yaku raced clear with cries of "offside" ringing in his ears.

The flag stayed down and Yaku seemed certain to grab his second of the day as he rounded Eyre, only for his touch to desert him as he tied himself in knots, the ball went too far wide and the chance had gone.

It was one of those chances that had Stortford got something out of the game, then it would have been talked about over and over. As it was Hampton were buoyed by this, Yaku again finding room from Lovett's long punt forward, this time forcing a decent save from Eyre. Inman came close from a lobbed effort from distance that bounced wide with Eyre in no man's land.

Back came the Blues still trying to force an impact on the game, Lovett rushing out to save at the feet of Llewellyn following Alli Abdullahi's teasing through ball. Lovett then came rushing out of his area, substitute Danny Morgan beating him to the ball but getting too much on it as it drifted wide much to Hampton's relief.. Morgan was then denied by a great intervention from Stevens, and debutant Boateng got in a great challenge in the box to prevent Leon Antoine pulling the trigger.

By this point the Beavers had introduced Tarpey and Moone to the attack and it was Tarpey who burst forward but could only find the side netting as the visitors seeked to kill the game off on the break. Next though came the only real complaint Hampton could have against the referee, harshly showing Simmonds a second yellow followed by the resultant red card after a innocuous-looking foul in the centre circle. Only one real effort came during the four minutes of added time, Lovett making sure of his first clean sheet for six games, blocking Llewellyn's effort after Ming's initial strike had been deflected into his path.

This victory saw Devonshire's side move into eighth place in the Blue Square Bet South and leapfrog Bishop's Stortford in the process. The league now takes a backseat as Hampton concentrate on a tricky FA Cup 2nd qualifying round tie against Romford next Saturday, at Aveley FC where the Ryman League Division One North outfit ground share.

HAMPTON; Lovett, Allen-Page, Boateng, Inman, Stevens, Wells (c), Collier, Simmonds, Hodges (Tarpey, 70 mins), Yaku (Moone, 70 mins), Matthews. SUBS NOT USED; Lucien, Adams, Robinson.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Dean Wells - Rock solid at the back. Hardly anything got past him.

REFEREE: Mr Adrian Quelch ATT: 349