A late Tonbridge comeback nearly snatched a precious point, but in truth the Angels were second best for 80 minutes of this game and never matched the conviction of our promotion rivals on the day. Teamwise, Danny Lye got the nod to start in midfield, Dobla naming himself to the bench. Ray Powell was fit to start alongside Jon Main up front, with Steve May continuing to deputise for Lew Watts at the back.

The visitors made a flying start, earning four corners in the first six minutes of play and setting the tone for the rest of the match. Scott Kinch headed wide from Tooting's first real chance on 14 minutes, but the Angels nearly pinched the lead shortly afterwards, Main's effort being blocked by a defender after Powell beat the 'keeper to a through ball and set up the chance.

It was no real surprise when the impressive Kinch gave Tooting the lead on 21 minutes, sweeping home Paul Scott's cross from 15 yards. Jason Pinnock doubled it seven minutes later with an emphatic finish across Mikhail Czanner from just inside the box when Kinch picked out his run.

Tonbridge just couldn't get anything going, lacking the conviction to counter a hard-working Tooting midfield who gave the Angels little time or space to play. The pattern continued in the second half, and it looked to be game over when central defender Danny Twin headed home ten minutes in to put the visitors 3-0 up.

The game became a little fractious, Danny Glozier being shown yellow for a foul shortly before Lye and Tooting's Aaron Day were booked following a scuffle involving several players. Nick Barnes soon joined them after a late tackle on Kinch, who had to be stretchered off - but fortunately was seen to be back on his feet again after the game.

The tireless Main gave Tonbridge hope ten minutes from time, slipping home a loose ball from ten yards. Day then sliced a cross into his own net to ensure an anxious ending for the visitors as Tonbridge finally discovered some confidence and purpose in their play and piled on the pressure - but despite a couple of close shaves, Tooting held on to leapfrog the Angels in the promotion race.

Report by: Tony Browne

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