Tonbridge secured their promotion playoff place in a game with uncanny similarity to last Saturday's defeat of Kingstonian, also decided by a single Angels goal in the eighth minute of a game the home side went on to dominate.

There were three changes to the side which put in such a solid performance in that game. Dobla and Alex O'Brien came into midfield, replacing Danny Lye (suspended) and Nick Barnes (broken hand). Jon Main regained his place in the side at the expense of Jay May to partner Ray Powell up front.

JJ was the first 'keeper in action, diving to catch a low cross just in front of Bernard Asante before the Angels took the lead. The goal came from the penalty spot, Dolby converting confidently after Main was tripped by Hastings left back Jimmy Elford.

Main's dipping volley wasn't far away soon afterwards, but the visitors began to make some inroads themselves as the first half wore on. Russell Eldridge's shot flew inches wide with JJ looking on anxiously, then Lew Watts cleared Eldridge's lob from under the Tonbridge bar. John Beales was next to the Angels' rescue, clearing off the line after John Bradley beat JJ to a through ball. "Razor" Powell cut in and thumped the bar with a fine effort from the edge of the box, prompting the Angels to settle and regain the initiative until the break. Fraser Logan volleyed O'Brien's cross inches over before United 'keeper Chris May was at full stretch to fingertip Luke Piscina's cross away from Drew Watkins.

A fine Tonbridge move early in the second half could have extended the lead. Dolby freed Piscina, who cut inside his man and crossed to the far post where Powell connected with a firm close range header - only to see May make a brilliant reaction save and tip the ball over.

JJ gathered alertly when Eldridge drove a curling shot through a crowd of players following a Hastings corner, but despite making all three substitutions well before the end, United were unable to get anything going as the Angels kept the pressure on all over the pitch and consolidated their grip on the game.

Tonbridge ended the game completely on top and could have added further goals in the last ten minutes. Barnes, on as a late sub, sidefooted Logan's cross over the top from ten yards before Main had three opportunities to end his recent goal drought. The hard-working Angels striker scuffed his shot wide of a vacant net when the ball broke to him 20 yards out following a challenge between Jay May and his namesake in the United goal. Main did have the ball in the net three minutes from time, but the Referee's Assistant had spotted a hand ball - and there was still time for a neat interchange of passes with Piscina to end with a shot hurriedly scooped over the bar.

Report by: Tony Browne

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