TONBRIDGE ANGELS’ unbeaten record at the start of the Bostik League Premier season came to an end when visitors Bishop’s Stortford turned the form book upside down.
The visitors, who are without a permanent manager, were not overawed by the league leaders and scored in the sixth minute.
A corner was punched cleared by Angels goalkeeper Jonny Henly but Bishop’s Stortford recycled the ball and a cross from the right was converted with accuracy by Ryan Charles.
Bishop’s Stortford continued to create chances with centre forward Jake Cass harrying the Angels defence at every opportunity.
Gradually the Angels rediscovered some of their early-season confidence and started to move the ball around with more purpose.
On 23 minutes Alex Read laid the ball off for Tommy Whitnell but he fired his shot over the bar.
Bishop’s Stortford doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. A mistake in the home defence provided Cass with an opportunity which he finished with aplomb.
The visitors went three up early in the second half. Another defensive error saw the ball run to Cass, who proved clinical in front of goal again.
When Bishop’s Stortford’s Johnville Renee was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 54th minute, the home side finally found their feet.
The Angels clawed a goal back in the 72nd minute when Adem Ramadan converted a Tom Parkinson cross.
In the 88th minute Arthur Lee converted a corner to give the home side a slight hope of levelling the scores, and visiting keeper Calum Kitscha was called into action to preserve his side’s lead in stoppage time.
Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “Too many of the players were off the pace today and they know that. Even if we had managed to find an equaliser, it would have been hard lines on Bishop’s Stortford.”
The Angels now entertain Potters Bar Town on Saturday [October 6, kick-off 3pm].
