Crusaders just have the edge

This was a close game between two evenly matched teams, but we just edged through to improve our play-off hopes, although the situation near the top of the table is no clearer, even if Poole regained the leadership and now look favourites to be champions.
Although the Martyrs are in mid-table, they came to Bulpit Lane on the back of a six-game winning streak, which included the defeat of league-leaders Redditch United last week, and a 5-1 lead after the first leg of the Red Insure Cup Final over Cambridge United . They were again well-supported, although nothing like the crowd that were at the play-off final three years ago when we earned a place in the Premier Division. Even so, they again gave their side plenty of vocal support and helped to create a lively atmosphere..
The game as evenly matched at the start but Nat Jarvis, back from Carribean Cup duty, chased a ball which he could not control, and Keyon Reffell just failed to get on the end of a dangerous cross, and then shot well over from another chance as the two teams battled out in a half in which they cancelled each other out and reached the interval with the score-sheet blank.
We began to put on more pressure in the second half, but Rhys Tyler shot well over and then shot wide from a free-kick after he had been brought down. But we came nearest to taking the lead when Garyn Preen hit the post with a splendid cross-shot and the ball rebounded clear A shot from Jarvis was deflected for a corner, but he was soon replaced by Harry Goodger, a sensible move after his cup exploits for Antigua . Scott Tancock was lucky not to be penalised when he brought down man-of-the-match Preen, who continued to look dangerous, but the referee again proved rather lenient
The crucial moment came with 10 minutes to go when Ian Herring headed in from a corner, but Adam Davies scooped the ball away with his hand and received an immediate red card, but the linesman had already indicated that the ball was over the line when it was hooked out, and the goal was given. Davies was reprieved, an unusual decision, but probably the right one, he could hardly be sent off for preventing a goal-scoring opportunity when we had scored. Preen continued to terrorise the Merthyr defence, but there were no further goals and we were able to celebrate an important win which boosted our play-off hopes.
Ream; Strudley, Horgan(John), Tyler, Jones, Day, Rees, Clark, Herring, Jarvis(Goodger),Brown, Preen.
Subs;Draycott, Boardman, Stirland.