TONBRIDGE ANGELS kept going until the very end to make a point against visiting Dulwich Hamlet, who sit proudly on top of the Bostik Premier League despite their travails at the hands of the owners of their ground at Champion Hill.
The Angels side handed home debuts for new signings Dan Bennett, formerly of Kingstonian, and Sam Bantick, who arrives from Heybridge Swifts.
Chances fell to both sides in the early exchanges. Nana Boakye-Yiadom forced Angels keeper Jonny Henly into a smart save and then Joe Turner’s first-time shot was blocked by Rickie Hayles.
The second half was just two minutes old when the visitors took the lead. A strong run from Nyren Clunis on the left wing saw him cut inside and beat Henly with a superb shot into the corner.
Boakye-Yiadom came close soon after but Henly came to the rescue, and there was another chance for the visitors through Sanchez Ming.
Tonbridge were still very much in this game and a Chris Kinnear shot was stopped on the line. Then a fine pass from Craig Stone put Turner through on goal and he beat the advancing Preston Edwards to level the scores.
The Angels were relieved in the 86th minute when Henly made an outstanding save to thwart Boake-Yiadom and save his side from defeat.
The manager Steve McKimm said: “We set ourselves up to deal with their attack and largely we achieved that. Jonny Henly has made a great save near the end to keep us in it but we were pressing them even after that.”
Tonbridge, who are ninth in the table, now entertain Harrow Borough on Saturday (December 23) and then travel to Folkestone Invicta on Boxing Day (both 3pm kick-offs).Â
