TONBRIDGE ANGELS left it late to reach the next round of the FA Trophy in a match that was packed with incident, including three red cards and two penalty awards.
After just 12 minutes Angels’ centre-back Sonny Miles was shown a straight red for violent play.
With home skipper Tom Parkinson forced to drop to the back line Tonbridge lost some of their creativity in the centre.
That allowed Whyteleafe, from a tier below Angels in the Bostik League South-East division, to gradually take control of proceedings.
Most of the visitors’ best moves were coming through Daniel Hector and it was no surprise when he stepped up to fire a 20-yard shot past Angels keeper Jonny Henly in the 36th minute.
The visitors retained the lead until half-time, and then Eddie-Louis DSane went close for Whyteleafe three minutes after the interval.
But the home side came more into the game as the second half progressed with Craig Stone and Alex Read going close.
Then Whyteleafe went a man down after Matthew O’Donoghue handled the ball on his goalline in the 80th minute.
Though Read’s penalty was saved, he scored from the follow-up to equalise.
Angels’ Liam King was tripped by Harrison Carnegie in the area in the 90th minute when through on goal and Joe Turner converted the home side’s second spot-kick.
So Angels secured their place in the next round, and Carnegie became the third man to receive his marching orders, though it had not been a dirty game.
The Tonbridge side return to Bostik League Premier action at home to Whitehawk on Saturday [November 3, kick-off 3pm].
