This top-of-the-table clash was settled in the Hornets favour by a defensive mistake eleven minutes from time when Angels left back Jon Heath fluffed his clearance of Nigel Brake's cross and presented Andy Walker with a tap-in. Both sides had the chance to claim top spot in the table at start of play should Dover slip up, and proved evenly matched in a game which didn't really spark into life until the final 20 minutes. The Angels were missing Nick Barnes, Jay May and Ray Powell through injury. Darren Smith deputised for Barnes in midfield, with Adam O'Neill getting his debut start up front after a run of six games on the bench.

Luke Piscina's fierce volley was deflected just over early on, then Will Packham in the Horsham goal spread himself well to thwart Leroy Huggins midway through a fairly quiet first half. Horsham lost Dominik Hudak on 35 minutes, stretchered off with a leg injury following a collision with JJ who had rushed out to claim at the lanky striker's feet. Ex-Angel John Farley was also forced off with an injury before the break. Tonbridge had a bit of luck just before the half-time whistle when the hard-working Jamie Taylor charged down a JJ clearance, but the ball fell kindly for the Angels 'keeper to reclaim.

The second half saw both sides gradually raise the tempo. Horsham's main threats were channelled through Nigel Brake, who provided a number of dangerous left wing crosses over the 45 minutes. The Angels posed threats of their own to the Horsham goal though. Piscina put O'Neil through early in the half, but Packham was out smartly to clear. A fierce Dobla drive was blocked by Eddie French, and Packham produced a good save on the line from Steve Aris' header.

Horsham had taken the lead before good work from Piscina and Danny Lye saw Huggins scoop Lye's cross over the bar from inside the six yard box. Smith's cross just eluded Dolby in front of goal as time ran out, and the Angels were condemned to their third successive league defeat despite, in boxing parlance, "shading it on points" - a somewhat mystifying reversal of fortunes after the 7-0 demolition of Newport IOW.

Bright spots for Tonbridge were the continuing good form of Steve Aris and Lew Watts in central defence, and a measured performance from Piscina who seems to be adjusting well to his attacking midfield position.

Report by: Tony Browne

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