Tonbridge came out on top in this lively cup tie which provided plenty of action for the 457 crowd. A clash with Hastings in the next round is the Angels reward for a hard-earned victory achieved with a depleted squad.

With Lye, Piscina, Cramp, Smith and John all missing, New signing Lee Carey made his debut in midfield alongside Nick Barnes and Tim Hambley. Jon Heath came in at left back for Craig Roser, "Bert" starting on the bench. Michael Czannar deputised for JJ in goal. Horsham dominated the first 25 minutes, the Angels having to defend a barrage of crosses from Hornets' wide men John Westcott and Nigel Brake. Brake and Dominik Hudak missed two good chances for the visitors before Tonbridge took the lead with a fine strike. Warren Haughton broke down the left and crossed, the ball just eluding Leroy Huggins but running on for Carey to blast into the top corner from 15 yards.

The Angels extended their lead in controversial fashion with half an hour gone. Huggins ran through to slip the ball past Rob Frankland in the Horsham goal despite an offside flag against Haughton - Referee Lennard deciding the Angels man was not involved in the action and waving play on. Horsham pulled one back right on half time, Lee Carney scoring from the spot after Hudak was brought down by Czannar. The Hornets started the second half in determined fashion. Westcott set up Jamie Taylor but Czannar got down well to save, then Hudak headed against the post from a corner. Tonbridge gradually began to get a grip on the game, Haughton putting a cross from the excellent Barnes just over before the home side restored their advantage on 63 minutes, Tony Dolby scoring emphatically from the penalty spot after Ray Powell's cross was handled.

The Angels finished the stronger and came close to sealing the tie a number of times in the final 15 minutes. Haughton shot just wide when clean through on Frankland, Dolby's thumping 25-yard volley shaved the upright, and Huggins smashed Barnes' fine cross against the post in stoppage time.

Report by: Tony Browne

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