Tonbridge travelled to New Lodge on Saturday to face the early leaders and title favourites Billericay Town, and returned home with a creditable point after a hard-earned draw.

Billericay dominated the early exchanges with Tonbridge finding it difficult to get out of their half, however no major chances fell to the home side early on. A rare Tonbridge attack after 17 minutes saw Brendon Cass on the receiving end of a harsh challenge from Robin Trott, and Cass eventually had to leave the field to be replaced by Joe Fuller. Referee Comerford, who to put it mildly didn't seem to be having his best game, saw no malice in the tackle and Trott went unpunished for the incident. Sam Tydeman was however booked for dissent. Shortly after Fuller's arrival Billericay had their best effort of the first half. A cross from the left found Danny Hockton, already with three goals to his credit this year, and his fierce left-foot shot was well saved by Jamie Turner.

The Angels' best chance of the half fell to Kieron Wilson on 41 minutes, but the wing-back's rushed shot went well over the bar after Craig Roser's set-up. With the half-time score goalless, Tonbridge found more confidence going into the second half and Luke Piscina, in fine form once again, tried an ambitious lob with goalkeeper Dave McCartney stranded, although he managed to get back to his six-yard box in time to stop the ball.

Billericay fielded the experienced Bradley Allen in attack and it was his run that saw Andy Larkin booked for pulling Allen back on the left-wing. Five minutes later another attack from the home side looked to have finally breached the Angels' defence but Wilson was on hand to make a last-ditch clearance off the line. It wasn't to be long before Billericay took the lead, Dave McSweeney putting the rebound home on 65 minutes after a flick-on from a free-kick had hit the bar.

Almost immediately Billericay came close to doubling the lead, Turner once again stretching to pull off a great save before Gavin Heeroo shot the rebound wide of the post. Tonbridge were not to be beaten though, Piscina and Fuller linking down the right on 75 minutes before Piscina was pulled down by Pat Sappleton in the area. Sappleton was clearly the last defender but escaped caution despite the referee awarding a penalty. Player-boss Tony Dolby stepped up to fire home the equaliser into the bottom corner.

Tim Hambley replaced Fuller on 77 minutes, his aerial ability in attack being put to good use although an unlucky winner for the away side was not to be. Allen and Hockton linked up well on a Billericay counter-attack but Turner again saved from Hockton before Sam Tydeman made a last-ditch effort to scoop the ball clear. The final minutes passed without incident, with the exception of a booking for Luke Piscina after an incident with Billericay captain Jamie Dormer.

Youth-team graduate Patch Blackman earned the Angels Online man of the match award with his faultless performance in defence against what will be one of the strongest forward lines in the league.

Report by: Dan Couldridge