February 14, 2001 9:47: THAME United Football Club extended their lead at the top of Ryman League Division One to eight points but they were made to battle for the points by basement boys Barton Rovers.

United had stuffed 11 goals past Barton in the corresponding fixture at the Windmill Stadium earlier in the season but it was much closer last Saturday as United escaped from their Bedfordshire hosts with a slender 2-1 victory.

Mick Swaysland opened the Thame scoring on 28 minutes when he tucked away Nando Perna's pass.

But Barton, under new boss Alan Biley, equalised six minutes before half time.

Andy Williams slipped and allowed Richard Wilcox to race clear and beat the advancing Ian Moores.

But Barton's joy was short-lived as United went ahead again within a minute, after Perna provided Swaysland with his second.