Despite falling behind early on, an equaliser on the stroke of half-time and a 77th minute winner secured a crucial 3pts on a day when Town moved to the top of the table. 

Strong, organised and with pace up top, The A’s belied their lowly league position and stunned the hosts by scoring first. With Becks looking to impose themselves, Banstead broke fast with Ben Drake driving through midfield. His give-and-go with Rueben Duncan saw Joe Healy lunging to try and cut out the return pass inside the area – only to succeed in shanking his defensive clearance against Drake with the ball deflecting straight back past a startled Nick Blue.

Undoubtedly shaken, Becks responded with Freddie Nyhus wriggling free on the right to deliver a dangerous cross before captain Danny Waldren’s clever headed pass played in Theophanous inside the area only for the big striker to fire straight at keeper Liam Holden who tipped over. 

But on the counter the visitors posed a threat, with Duncan and the speedy Brandon McCarthy a danger and Blue doing well to parry a vicious hit from David Awomolo that moved in the air as it flew towards goal. At the other end Rob Carter and Waldren both had headed chances before Healy and Nick Curran almost played Nyhus in on the right. 

But against the towering LB Joe Peters the youngster wasn’t having it all his own way and midway through the half he and Steve Townsend switched wings The latter went close shortly after before then being held back as first Nathaniel Oseni and then Manny Akiotu both went into the book. 

Becks were starting to gain control and Curran went close with a header before dragging a shot wide, whilst RB Harvey Brand had a good effort blocked after Nyhus had done well out on the left. On the stroke of half-time the equaliser arrived. Townsend won possession just inside The A’s half and sent Theophanous racing clear on the right. Bearing down on goal, ‘Bluto’ unleashed a shot that beat Holden low inside the near post. 

The second-half saw The Reds dominate and on the hour mark a fantastic crossfield pass from LB Archie Johnson gifted Townsend possession on the right side of the area, but Theophanous’s subsequent shot was blocked. The A’s were having to put bodies on the line now and Duncan spurned their best chance on 71 mins when he fired wide after Fabio Nunes’ cross. 

On top, but locked at 1-1, patience was key. On 77 mins, Healy’s measured pass set Townsend free down the left. He turned towards the area, teased, checked, then crossed. Theophanous’s effort was blocked and then Tunde Aderonmu – on as sub for Nyhus – looked to be impeded as he prepared to shoot. The ball instead fell to the unmarked Curran just to the right of the penalty spot and the midfield veteran calmly stroked the ball into the net to secure all 3pts and lift Beckenham to the summit.

MOTM: Nick Curran (MF)

BECKS LINEUP – Blue; Brand, Johnson, Carter, Henry; Curran (Humphris 88), Waldren (c) (Wanogho 82), Healy; Nyhus (Aderonmu 71), Theophanous, Townsend 

Unused Subs – Pinto, Bloomfield

Att: 255

Photo Credit: BTFC Media Team