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Tonbridge Angels and Chatham Town avoid relegation in Ryman League, VCD and Ramsgate go to final day

00:00, 18 April 2015

updated: 21:48, 18 April 2015

Tonbridge Angels secured their safety in Ryman League Premier Division with a thrilling 3-3 draw at Billericay.

Steve McKImm's side appeared to be cruising to the three points they needed to stay up as they led 3-0 with just six minutes left.

Mitchell Pinnock (22), Nathan Elder (62) and Dee Okijie (84) put Angels in control before three goals in five minutes by Richard Halle, Roman Liburd and Shameek Farrell made it 3-3.

Angels then had the chance to win the game in the fourth minute of stoppage time but Pinnock's spot-kick was saved.

The point, however, was enough after Peacehaven could only draw at AFC Hornchurch.

VCD's fate is in their own hands They need to beat Billericay on the final day after a stunning 3-0 win at Margate.

First-half goals from James Duckworth and Leigh Bremner put them on the right path and Michael Power added a third early in the second half.

Maidstone's draw at Dulwich, coupled with Hendon's draw at Grays, meant Jay Saunders' men won the title. Read the match report here and manager Saunders' reaction here.

A point was also good enough in Division 1 North for Chatham to retain their Ryman League status.

Trailing to Sherwin Stanley's 21st-minute goal at play-off chasing Brentwood, Chatham levelled through George Humber straight after the restart and Joe Bingham put them ahead midway through the second half.

Kevin Watson's men were pegged back with nine minutes left when Stanley scored from the penalty spot but Chatham's superior goal difference means Barkingside are unable to overhaul them on the final day of the season.

Outgoing Thamesmead chairman Terry Hill ended a 22-year association with the club on a high on his final home game at the helm as they beat Heybridge thanks to Tyrus Gordon-Young's second-half goal.

Hythe's Sam Conlon challenges against Walton & Hersham. Picture: Alan Langley
Hythe's Sam Conlon challenges against Walton & Hersham. Picture: Alan Langley

It's advantage Folkestone as the race for second place took another twist in Division 1 South.

Neil Cugley's men won 4-0 at Walton Casuals thanks to Ian Draycott's hat-trick and a Richard Atkins goal.

They now lead Faversham by three points after a surprise 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Hastings. Wayne Wilson had put Faversham ahead but Hastings replied through Sam Adams' brace.

At the other end of the season, Ramsgate edged towards safety with a 5-3 win at already-relegated Horsham.

Joe Taylor, Aaron Quain and Warren Schulz put Rams 3-0 ahead before Tom Vickers pulled one back before half-time.

Bailo Camara then made it 3-2 but Quain and Mitchell Knight put Ramsgate in charge before Camara netted again late on.

Victory at home to Corinthian Casuals next Saturday will ensure Ramsgate avoid relegation to Southern Counties East.

Whitstable went down 5-0 at champions Burgess Hill while Herne Bay were held 1-1 at home by Guernsey after Mark Lovell's 20th-minute goal was cancelled out by Marc McGrath five minutes from time.

Second-half goals from George Crimmen and Hicham Akhazzan saw Sittingbourne defeat Three Bridges 2-0 but Hythe went down 3-2 at home to Walton & Hersham despite goals from Sam Conlon and Shaun Welford.

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