It was a vital three points for the Angels as they eventually overcame a resourceful AFC Hornchurch courtesy of an 85th minute Tom Derry strike.

Tonbridge certainly enjoyed the better of the first half but for all their dominance the breakthrough wouldn’t come. Chances fell to Chinedu McKenzie, Derry and two for Joe Turner but inaccuracy and fine form of AFC Hornchurch custodian Callum Chafer kept the game goalless at the break.

The second half started with Tonbridge on the front foot but gradually AFC Hornchurch started to build some midfield momentum through the prompting of Joe Christou although couldn’t create any clear cut chances due to the well organised Angels defence.

It looked as if it would be another goalless performance for the home side. Despite continuing to work really hard and preventing the Urchins from creating any genuine chances of their own momentum seemed to have gone out of the home side’s game.

Things had got worse for the home side on the hour mark when their inspirational skipper, Tom Parkinson, was stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury just 12 months after coming back from a long layoff.

Ironically, it was Parkinson’s substitute Tom Beere who in the 85th minute executed a defence splitting pass out to Turner on the left wing. Turner did what he does best, a superb low cross and there was Striker Tom Derry on cue to strike the winner. In truth it was a goal worthy of the three points, and although it it will of no consolation to Hornchurch there was probably little there defensive could have done about it.

Afterwards Angels Boss Steve McKimm said: “This was obviously a huge three points. Over the 90 minutes I think we deserved the win. On another day ‘Chin’ (Chinedu McKenzie) scores in the first period but we had to be patient, not panic and eventually a moment of quality takes us through.