After a dream start, VCD Athletic failed to drive home their advantage and slumped to defeat against Romford.
Some matches start in cagey fashion. This one did not. Just two minutes had passed when the Vickers went ahead. Kojo Awotwi broke down the right wing before cutting in and firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Will Green came close to equalising moments later but his low drive was well turned away by Connor Pearce.
It was then VCD’s turn again and Mitch Hahn’s shot was deflected just wide with Callum Chafer rooted to the spot.
Mekhi McLeod crossed to the far post, Awotwi headed back and Jamie Guy finished but both were offside. Another break by Awotwi almost created a second when he sent McLeod away but his curler flew well over.
That proved to be a sighter as McLeod had another opportunity from a similar area and this time he curled it into the top corner.
Jamie Guy then had two half chances with his back to goal. On the first occasion he was unable to get a shot away and on the second he failed to hit a clean shot and Callum Chafer claimed easily.
Somewhat against the run of play, Romford pulled one back when Jonathan Adebayo sent Chinedu McKenzie away and he slotted home his 20th goal of the season.
McKenzie then headed over before Awotwi left the Romford defence in his wake before pulling back to Hahn but he failed to hit the target when well placed.
That proved to be a costly miss as a long ball through was controlled superbly by Greg Akpele allowing him to stroke past Pearce and into the net.
Guy burst through for VCD but Chafer made a great save then McKenzie did likewise at the other end only to be thwarted by a perfectly timed last ditch tackle by Frantz Tchonang.
McLeod then made a poor challenge but was kicked whilst on the ground less than ten yards away from the assistant referee. Incredibly, he said nothing and Steven Scott cautioned McLeod and Romford’s Jamie Dicks.
During the half time break, VCD manager Keith McMahon had to make his first change replacing goalkeeper Pearce with Niklas Freund.
Nick Reynolds had a shot saved by Freund early in the second half before heading Ryan Boswell’s cross straight into the arms of the Vickers’ custodian.
Hahn then produced a brilliant save out of Chafer with a thirty yard effort that looked bound for the top corner.
Connor Hogan was sent away following some trickery by Awotwi but Guy’s shot on the turn landed on the roof of the net.
Romford scored what turned out to be the winner on 71 minutes when a goalmouth scramble ended with Akpele firing home.
It should have been four when Kwasi Marfo crossed for McKenzie but his effort went just wide.
Hoping to get back into the game, VCD left gaps at the back and Jonathan Adebayo was just over with a chip.
Jamie Age missed another good chance from Marfo’s cross before Reynolds netted but was well offside.
On Saturday, VCD travel to Cheshunt looking to put two disappointing home results behind them.
VCD Athletic: Pearce (Freund 46), Hogan, Joseph, O’Neil, Bruce, Tchonang, McLeod (Garcia 74), Newby, Guy, Hahn, Awotwi.
Subs not used: Clark, Brickwood, Duncan.
Romford: Chafer, Boswell, Dicks, Cossington, Ishmail, Richard, Adebayo, Akpele (Age 81), McKenzie, Reynolds (Taylor 90), Green (Marfo 69).
Subs not used: Olukoga, Mallet.
Referee: Steven Scott
Assistants: Olivier Roguez and Chris Bodell
Attendance: 48
VCD star player: Kojo Awotwi