Harlow Town’s struggles continued at home to promotion chasing Uxbridge as the visitors secured a narrow 1-0 win.

Mark Bitmead scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half as Harlow, previously vying for a play-off spot earlier in the season, dropped further into the bottom half of the table.

Manager Mark Holloway introduced his two newest signings to the side, as Alex Read made his second debut for the club and Leyton Orient loanee Arthur Janata replaced Josh Bexon in goal.

The visitors made the more positive start to the game and Callum Bunting went close to giving them an early lead on two occasions, but both of his headers were off target.

Bunting again was looking the most dangerous outlet for Uxbridge, but he missed a good chance after patient build-up from the visitors and soon after his rising effort did nothing to trouble Janata.

A double change at the break from Holloway saw Yannick Kissi and Ross Elsom introduced for Jeremie Sivi and Amar Lewis, and it seemed to do the trick in the early stages of the half as the Hawks showed far more attacking intent.

It was perhaps against the run of play then when Uxbridge took the lead 10 minutes into the half when Bitmead deceived the jumping wall from a free-kick by firing underneath them and into the bottom corner.

Harlow had big appeals for a penalty waved away in their response, the referee not deeming there to be a handball offence, and Uxbridge continued to stifle any attacks the Hawks had in their bid to get back into the game.

That intent appeared to fizzle out in the closing stages, and Uxbridge hung on relatively comfortably to take all three points.

Defeat leaves Harlow 13th in the table, 11 points adrift of the play-off spots that they were hovering around earlier in the season.

Their next game sees them go up against South Park away from home this Saturday, kicking off at 3pm.