Barton takes the responsibility.
As is often the case when the last vestiges of winter disappear and you enter the dawn of a new spring, the last month of the football season is played out with the sun shining brightly in a clear sky above and the players having to deal with rock hard pitches and the ball bobbling all over the place.
That's how this match against Erith & Belvedere was played out, although to be fair to the visitors, they at least arrived at the Crowborough Community Stadium with a bit more attacking intent than some of the more recent visitors have and this meant that the Crows played some better football than they have done recently.
The Crows went in to the game knowing they had to win and hopefully, win well if they are to stay in the title race whilst the Deres knew that a defeat may see them getting sucked back in to the relegation battle with such clubs as Beckenham Town, Fisher and Lordswood FC. So both teams were under pressure from the start and perhaps that's why the first half was not that exciting overall.
In all honesty, the Crows should have won this game more comfortably than they did but once again they came up against a 'keeper in form, Fahrar in the Deres goal making some great point-blank saves, most notably from Treleaven and Attwood in the first half and it's been something of a recurring theme of late that our side has been denied on numerous occasions by a stand-out goalkeeping performance.
It's also no coincidence that our recent dip in form has coincided with Attwood's personal goal drought. His work-rate and importance to the team is there for all to see but Lady Luck has definitely deserted him in front of goal at the moment and he must be wondering just what he has to do so the ball hits the back of the net for him again soon.
The Crows very nearly took the lead in the 2nd minute but a through ball for Treleaven, who beat the offside trap, just had a bit too much pace on it and Fahrar was able to gather it in. Treleaven had another go in the 15th minute but his effort was well saved by Fahrar.
Perhaps one reason why the first half seemed to be a bit dull was perhaps down to too many free kicks being awarded, too many yellow cards being brandished in a game that never had an real incidence and the advantage rule not being played at all when perhaps it could of been. Carey was the first to see receive a yellow card after winning a bouncing ball in a tackle, however, referee Owen decided his follow through was not acceptable and punished accordingly.
Then Walder and Nwitua both saw yellow in the 23rd minute when the latter delayed the former from taking a quick free kick by holding on to the ball, much to Walder's annoyance and by trying to grab the ball he incurred the wrath of the referee whilst Nwitua got his for holding on to the ball. This proved to be a costly yellow for the Deres defender later in the game.
With the pressure building on the visitors goal, Fray became the fourth player booked for ending a Crows attack by bringing down the home player. A succession of corners from Muggeridge followed and both Treleaven and Turner were denied by the inspired Fahrar.
In the 32nd minute Schoburgh became the fifth player booked and Treleaven had the ball in the net in the 37th minute from a header but Turner, who had headed the ball back towards him from a free kick was adjudged to be in an offside position so the assistants flag went up and the goal wiped off.
However, the Crows didn't have to wait long to take the lead, Barton found himself with the ball at his feet, inside the Deres area, unfortunately for the visitors, one of their players made a rash challenge and brought Barton down right in front of referee Owen. With the penalty duly awarded, up stepped Barton to take it himself and he sent the 'keeper the wrong way to put the home side 1-0 ahead.
Just before half time Attwood had an effort saved by Fahrar before there was a long hold up in play due to one of the Deres players, Williams, injuring his ankle in a tackle with Tear and having to receive treatment before being stretchered off from the pitch to be replaced by Anderson. Therefore, when the half time whistle blew after 53 minutes, the Crows led 1-0.
The second period started the same way as the first ended, Crows having the larger share of possession by quite a wide margin but free kicks awarded by the referee were still disrupting the flow of the game, with Schoburgh becoming the next player booked for disagreeing with a decision awarded against him.
Perry had a shot high and wide in the 58th minute and in the 60th minute Attwood had an effort well saved by Fahrar again. In an effort to get a grip in the game, the Deres made their second substitution, Allen going off to be replaced by Marshall-Katung.
Carey and Perry then had an effort saved and blocked by a defender respectively before Perry was replaced by Vickers for the Crows in the 71st minute. Walder had a good effort from distance well saved by Fahrar in the 73rd minute as the Crows looked to get a second goal.
Attwood then had another effort well saved by the 'keeper before having a one-on-one with the Deres stopper but he put his effort well wide of the goal on the angle.
After 82 minutes the Deres made their final substitution, Schoburgh going off and Morais coming on. A rash challenge by Nwitua on Vickers in the 86th minute was to cost the full back dear as he was shown a second yellow card and therefore, a red card and had to leave the field of play.
The Crows then decided to make a double substitution in the 87th minute, Walder going off to be replaced by Carrington and Treleaven departing so that Pearson could take his place.
With time ticking away, Barton really should have scored his and the Crows second but his header from six yards out sailed over the bar rather than moving the net behind the Deres goalkeeper.
There was still time left though for the referee to banish another yellow card to Attwood before the final whistle blew so the majority of the 161 people in attendance could celebrate another win and another three points for the home side.
Walder was awarded the Man of the Match for the Crows with Attwood, Tear and Boddy close behind and now the Crows can move on to the next match away at Whitstable Town on Tuesday, 11th April knowing that the scenario is exactly the same as this one, a must win game if the title challenge is to be maintained.