The Angels’ winning run came to an end in a tough contest at the Herds Renault Stadium but hold onto their unbeaten run that has lasted since the end of last season, drawing 1-1 with their hosts Molesey. With one eye on the FA Cup tie Worcester, the Angels allowed their hosts back into the game after Leroy Huggins; 70th minute goal, and by the end were fortunate to hang on to a point.

Darren Smith was the only introduction to a side that had won 2-1 at Lymington & New Milton, replacing the injured Danny Lye. Tonbridge started well, Higgins seeing a headed attempt go wide, although the offside flag ruled out his chances had he hit the target, and later Tony Dolby shot wide from Smith’s lay-off. Despite these chances the Angels seemed to be labouring a little, and Molesey had their own chances to take the lead, their best coming on 26 minutes when a shot was blocked by Lee Carey and then turned round the post at full-stretch by Jerome John.

Molesey’s goalkeeper Adrian Creamer was in fine form, and made two excellent saves to deny the Angels in the first half. After a first touch of real class, Luke Piscina turned his defender and unleashed a left-foot shot which fizzed towards the near post only for Creamer to tip around the post for a corner. The resultant kick was cleared but Ray Powell crossed back in and Steve May’s 20-yard shot was acrobatically topped over the bar by Creamer.

Tonbridge made the first of two substitutions at half-time with Jon Heath replacing the injured Craig Roser. On 64 minutes the second and more significant change took place with Nick Barnes making his eagerly-awaited comeback replacing Piscina. Barnes proved to be worth the wait as immediately there was a renewed vigour about Tonbridge’s attacking play. In five minutes four chances came and went; Huggins had a header cleared off the line, Jay May scuffed a shot wide when through on goal, and was then denied by a fine save from Creamer when he blasted a powerful shot at goal, then Huggins had another header go wide. The breakthrough goal finally arrived on 70 minutes. Jay May was fouled by the corner flag and Huggins rose to head home Dolby’s free-kick.

The Angels tried to hold on to their lead but were denied their win by an 86th minute goal. John made a fine block to stop a one-on-one chance but to the home side’s fortune the ball fell to the feet of Matt Ottley, who calmly lobbed from distance into the empty net. In the dying minutes it was Molesey who looked like grabbing a winner, but the Angels clung on for a point.

Report by: Dan Couldridge