A goal in each half from Kwesi Appiah and Abdul Abdulmalik was enough for Boreham Wood to secure a vital win in Hampshire against Farnborough and subsequently move up two places to third in the league table.

Luke Garrard made one change, with the fit-again Jayden Richardson replacing the injured Femi Ilesanmi, and Erico Sousa moving to left wing-back.

The opening period of the game was quite even. Richard Chin went close for the hosts after three minutes, but his effort was blocked by Josh Hare. Seven minutes later, a Kwesi Appiah shot was blocked by Jack Bateson. Tom Whelan was off target on 15 minutes with a shot from distance. Two minutes later, Wood took the lead, and it was top scorer Appiah who got his 24th league goal of the season with a delightful near-post finish from a Tom Whelan corner.

On 22 minutes, Nathan Ashmore was called into action with a good save from a Reggie Young shot. For the rest of the first half, Boro had a lot of possession as they tried to draw level but were unable to trouble a resilient Wood defence. Chin fired just over the bar in first-half stoppage time.

HT: Farnborough 0-1 Boreham Wood

Two minutes after the restart, Jon Benton went close to doubling Boreham Wood’s lead but was denied by Farnborough keeper Jack Turner. A minute later, Callum Reynolds did well to block Jonathon Stuttle’s goal-bound shot. On 52 minutes, Alfie Pavey fired a shot straight into the Wood wall before Joe Haigh fired over from distance. On 67 minutes, Haigh was off target again, but this time it was just over.

Wood, who had been quite pedestrian in the second half, were improved by the introduction of Abdulmalik and Junior Dixon, who both gave the team some impetus in the final period of the game. Abdulmalik created a chance for Erico Sousa on 70 minutes, but he couldn’t get his shot on target. Whelan went close on 81 minutes but was just off target. On 89 minutes, Abdulmalik ended any doubts of a Wood victory with a second goal following a good run and a shot into the corner of Turner’s goal.

FT: Farnborough 0-2 Boreham Wood

It was a vital win again for Luke Garrard’s men and good use of the bench from the Boreham Wood manager. Abdulmalik proved for the third time in four games what an asset he is from the bench, and these “super sub” appearances could have a big impact if Boreham Wood are to bridge the gap at the top of the league and win automatic promotion.

Farnborough: Turner, D’Duria-Henry (Acey 68), Chin (Tuck 86), Pavey, Haigh, Stuttle, Kuhl, Young, Hart, Bateson, Macarthur (Hamid 86).

Subs not used: Beeden.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Richardson, Sousa, Reynolds, O’Connell, Hare, Payne, Whelan, Benton (Abdulmalik 63), Rush (Dixon 63), Appiah.

Subs not used: Agbontohoma, Sagaf, Clayden.

Man of the Match: Jack Payne.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.