Town started the game brightly, a fine run of step overs by Aaron King, followed by a hard hit cross into the penalty area, was narrowly missed by several Town forwards, stretching to turn the ball in on goal.
Home grown talent Adam Confue, also hit a shot narrowly wide after turning swiftly on the spot, to get a shot in on goal, which went narrowly wide of the far post.
Both Adam Confue and Aaron King were again, involved in the next move, a swift cross towards goal found the head of Confue, who unfortunately headed the ball straight in to the arms of a relieved Hayes keeper Ben Goode.
Daventry keeper Richard Morris prevented a great chance for Hayes in the thirtieth minute, when he quickly came off his goal line to intercept a goal bound effort from Hayes centre forward Lawrie Shennan. Nat Liburd was also presented with another opportunity for Town to take the lead, but his goal bound header fell directly in to the arms of the Hayes keeper.
Strikers from both sides were squandering chances, Hayes Jack Buckle hit a shot high over the bar when running down on goal, then debut Town striker Ashley Robinson put the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out, because of an alleged push by Daventry captain Guy Sanders in the build - up leading to the goal.
Centre back Liam Dolman, also came forward and hit a shot wide of the right post, as the Town became increasingly more frustrated by their inability to puncture the Hayes defence.
Daventry Town manager Darran Foster replaced Danny Edmunds with top striker Scott Cross, who had ruled himself out the starting line - up because of injury, in the hope that Cross could ignite the Daventry attack, to celebrate Bonfire night with some fireworks of their own, but it was Hayes who lit the fuse by scoring their first goal of the afternoon, in the second half.
An attempted clearance from Adam Confue was blocked and fell into the path of Hayes forward Lawrie Shennan, who finding himself with plenty of space and time, hit his shot sweetly past a despairing Daventry keeper Richard Morris.
The goal provided the spark for Hayes to build several more attacks, one of which led to the second goal, Marcel Simpson failed to clear the ball and Hayes substitute Andrew Harewood took swift advantage, hitting his shot past an exposed Daventry keeper Richard Morris, who could only get a foot to the ball, in his attempt to prevent Hayes taking a two goal lead.
Daventry Town manager Darran Foster commented on the game; `In the first half our performance was satisfactory, but you cannot afford to miss so many chances. We could and should have been ahead by three or four goals by half time, but too many goal scoring chances were wasted. We know there will be the odd blip in performances throughout the season, but it is how we respond to those set - backs, that is going to be important in the coming matches. We need to be more far clinical in front of goal; we also need our midfield to start taking control of games`
Other results did not go the way of Daventry Town either, all top five clubs won their games, leaders Godalming won 4-1 at Leighton Town, second placed Beaconsfield Town won 4-0 at home to Chertsey, Royston by 5- 0 at home to a still pointless Woodford United and Guildford Town beat North Greenford United by 3-2, with a winning goal in the final minute of the game.
Daventry Town now visit fifth placed Burnham at the weekend, who boast the league’s top goal scorer Ryan Bird in their team, Burnham took all three points at Rugby Town last Saturday, Town know a victory is crucial if they are to maintain their challenge at the top of the table.
Favourites Slough Town are certain to emerge from mid-table obscurity, once their fantastic FA Cup run comes to an end!

Jim Davis