Having looked like they had secured an unlikely point with an 88^th minute penalty, Bromley still lost out against second placed Cheltenham who clinched the three points with a 90^th minute winner in front of another great crowd at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

Cheltenham started the game brightly, but Bromley had the best early chance when Moses Emmanuel broke clear only to be denied be denied by a good save from Dillon Phillips.

Phillips was on hand again soon after to deny Pierre Joseph-Dubois saving bravely at his feet and the French striker went close again hitting the post with a low drive with the rebound sent just over the bar by Jack Holland.

With The Ravens on top Recce Prestedge played in Emmanuel who uncharacteristically placed his effort wide of the post and then Dubois set up the league’s top scorer, but this time Phillips saved well again.

Cheltenham then rallied and had strong spell of pressure, Harry Pell forced a save from Chris Kettings, Amari Morgan-Smith fired wide, Jack Munns was denied by Kettings following a scramble in the box and Morgan-Smith brought another fine stop from the Palace loanee keeper.

Late in the half Pell was booked for diving as The Robins began to get frustrated at their inability to get a break through.

Bromley came out flying in the second half, but after an initial spell of attacking play the visitors started to boss things.

Munns hit the underside of the bar from distance for Cheltenham, while Emmanuel was denied by a fantastic Phillips save tipping over a curling effort from 25 yards.

Ali Fuseini had a volley saved before The Ravens suffered two injury blows losing Rob Swaine and Dubois to what looked like hamstring pulls.

Cheltenham pressed as Bromley began to look ragged and unable to get going or adapt to their new shape. Pell missed a good chance failing to connect to a low cross and Billy Walters was denied by Kettings.

The inevitable goal finally came on 78 minutes. Munns hit a fierce drive from outside the area which Kettings parried only for Walters to lash home the rebound from ten yards.

Munns went close again and Asa Hall fired wide before The Ravens grabbed a late opportunity to equalise. After switching to 3-4-3 a break up field saw Anthony Cook surge into the box and he was brought down in a crowd of players which was enough Referee Mr Rock to award a penalty.

Cook got up and tucked away the spot kick himself and it looked like Mark Goldberg’s men had secured an point, but then came the final blow from Gary Johnson’s side.

As Bromley failed to clear their lines the ball bounced around the box before Hall turned the ball in off the post dead on 90 minutes.

In injury time hard work from Cook set up Emmanuel for one final chance but his low effort was gathered by Phillips and the victory was Cheltenham’s.

In the end The Robins were worthy of their win, while Bromley will now have to pick themselves up for Aldershot away on Saturday and hope they still have eleven fit players left in their much depleted squad.

 

Bromley: Kettings, Udoji (Tumwa 85), Anderson, Swaine (Francis 53), Chorley, Cook, Fuseini, Prestedge, Dubois (Goldberg 58), Emmanuel, Holland.

Subs Not Used: Rodgers, Julian.

Chletenham: Phillips, Barthram (Vaughan 79), McLennan, Storer, Downes, Parslow, Pell (Hall 79), Wright, Morgan-Smith (Walters 68), Munns, Dickie.

Subs Not Used: Lovett, Rowe.

Goals: Bromley – Cook 88pen, Cheltenham: Walters 78, Hall 90mins.

HT 0-0 FT 1-2

Ref: David Rock

Att: 1,621