There was drama late on when Stansfeld claimed all three points in their local derby with Erith and Belvedere in their Presence & Co. Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division meeting.

When the two teams met back in September, the Deres claimed a last minute winner. This time around, it was Stansfeld’s turn to feel the joy at the end an enthralling game.

Both teams were keen to claim the win, the hosts to give them some breathing space between them and the bottom two, and the Deres to keep them in touch with the play off places.

Playing with the slope in their favour in the first half, Erith had the better of the early stages. Joe Chalker sent Danny Lear away down the right and he crossed to Tunde Aderonmu whose hooked shot was saved by Albert Penny.

Ryan Fowler had two efforts for the visitors, the first which flew well over, and the second which was on target but Penny did well to get down and push it round the post. Dario Sesay-De Luca had Stansfeld’s first chance when he cut in from the left and struck a low shot that was saved by Charlie Cottrell.

In the nineteenth minute, the Deres went ahead. Freddie Cray did well to get it down before crossing for Aderonmu who gave Penny no chance with his brave diving header.

Sesay-De Luca had a free kick saved by Cotterell before Penny did likewise at the other end from a Tyller Davis-Whitlock shot. Sesay-De Luca went close again when easing in and flashing a shot just wide of the near post before Cray’s first time shot from long range was also off target.

Five minutes after the half time break, Stansfeld levelled. Archie Panyi let fly from fully thirty yards and it swerved late. Although Cotterell got a hand on it, he couldn’t keep it out.

Ronnie McLean was introduced by the Deres as a substitute and he was in action immediately when he went on a powerful run down the wing before pulling it back to Fowler. His low shot appeared to be destined for the bottom corner but Penny got down well and pushed it into the side netting.

Thirteen minutes after equalising Stansfeld went ahead. The visitors were unable to clear Chris Alhassan’s cross and Mayowa Olufeko pounced with a clinical finish.

Rob Strachan headed over for the Deres before the hosts’ Harvey Mead hit a low shot that was blocked wide by Chalker. Harry Pointing got on the end of a Sesay-De Luca corner with a good header that was well saved low down by Cottrell before the Deres equalised with six minutes remaining. Aderonmu scored his second when firing home after a corner was knocked down to him.

Yet another corner resulted in Stansfeld claiming the winner. Sesay De-Luca again delivered and Pointing met it with a powerful header that gave Cotterell no chance.

Five minutes of stoppage time were played but the visitors were unable to create another opening and it was Stansfeld who celebrated winning an important three points at the end.

Stansfeld OB: Penny, Panyi (Barrie 60), McCormack, Andrews, Pointing, Buhari, Sesay-De Luca (Marsh 90+4), Hughes (Calvert 90+5), Olufeko (Shepherd 82), Alhassan (Mead 69), English.

Subs not used: None.

Goalscorers: Panyi (50), Olufeko (64), Pointing (90)

Yellow card: None

Erith and Belvedere: Cottrell, Chalker, Morrison, Fowler (Baker 88), Strachan, Mansaray, French, Cray, Aderonmu, Lear (Pinto 88), Davis-Whitlock (McClean 55).

Subs not used: Day, Smith.

Goalscorers: Aderonmu (19), (84)

Yellow card: Strachan (74 foul)

Referee: Jack Owen

Assistants: Andrew Stanford and Ronald Albert

Attendance: 120