The Angels edged out the Clarets in a tight contest at Longmead Stadium. Continuing injury problems meant Tonbridge were missing team captain Craig Roser (replaced by loan signing from Welling, Matt Lee). Danny Lye took the captain's armband for this game, and recent injury victims Patrick Blackman, Brendon Cass and Tim Hambley all took up places on the bench.

Tonbridge gradually got the upper hand in the first half. Anthony Hogg and Matt Lee had shots blocked before Luke Piscina wasted the first clear chance, snatching his shot over the bar when Hogg's flick-on put him clear. Chelmsford fought back, and Darren Sarll sliced a half-chance wide. Kevin Budge then beat a stranded Jamie Turner - only for John Farley's goal-line clearance to save the Angels.

Steve Searle and Hogg had shots blocked at the other end before City poached the lead just before the interval. A nicely-worked breakout from the back saw Danny Hayzelden set up Sammy Cooper, who beat Turner from the corner of the six-yard box.

Half-time saw the re-introduction of Cass after eight games out with a knee injury, and Tonbridge were deservedly back on terms just before the hour when Piscina's 18-yard thunderbolt flew past Paul Nicholls in the City goal. The Angels went on to grab the lead after 66 minutes, Farley heading a free-kick from Tony Dolby back across goal for Lye to nod home gleefully.

Both sides came close again a couple of times before the final whistle, but a solid all-round team performance saw the Angels through, and Chelmsford can have no complaints about the result.

Report by: Tony Browne