Tonbridge conceded yet another lead to their opponents, but once again came back to secure the victory - a result which leapfrogged the Angels above Dover and Cray into top spot in the table. The Nuts and Bolts came into the game without a point so far this season, and for long periods it was easy to see why.

With Nick Barnes and Danny Lye missing through injury, Dobla elected to play himself in midfield with Lee Carey and Ian Parkes, Luke Piscina playing the advanced role in a midfield diamond. Ray Powell moved from right back to start up front alongside Leroy Huggins, Darren Smith taking over Razor's defensive duties.

Powell and Steve Aris (playing with a broken nose and big shiners after Tuesday's win over Hastings) had early openings for Tonbridge - but it was Steve Humphrey who nicked the lead for the visitors on 14 minutes, taking advantage of some static Angels defending to run through and clip the ball over Jerome John despite being flattened by the onrushing 'keeper. Gary Croxton's header nearly doubled the lead following a corner, but the Angels gradually began to impose themselves and dominate play, finding it easy to work men in behind a slow Ashford rearguard.

Parkes, Powell and Huggins all went close before "Razor" drove home the equaliser late in the half following good work from Smith down the right. Huggins and Carey both had openings to bag another before the break, but Ashford clung on.

Tonbridge continued to boss the game in the second half, and took the lead on 63 minutes when Piscina slotted home Dolby's flick-on from 15 yards. Dolby's header from Carey's cross smacked against the crossbar soon afterwards, then Carey did well to block Richard Boorman's shot in a rare Ashford threat.

With excellent performances from Dolby and Carey in midfield, a third always looked likely for Tonbridge and it came ten minutes from time when Dolby's drive hit a defender and fell kindly for sub Warren Haughton to fire home. Both Dolby and Haughton could have added a fourth as the Angels ran out comfortable winners.

Report by: Tony Browne

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