Reaction from Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders after injury-time penalty against Hampton & Richmond maintains unbeaten record in National League South

Tonbridge manager Jay Saunders praised the character of his side to stay unbeaten despite not being at their best.

Angels rescued a 2-2 draw at home to Hampton & Richmond on Saturday thanks to Liam Vincent’s 94th-minute penalty.

The result extends their unbeaten start to 10 games in all competitions and keeps them third in National League South.

Debutant Jason Adigun gave Saunders’ side the lead against the run of play but goals from James Roberts and Mauro Vilhete put the Beavers on course for victory as Angels conceded for the first time in six league games.

But they claimed a point when Vincent coolly sent Ted Curd the wrong way from the penalty spot.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Hampton - I thought they were good - but it was one of our weaker performances,” said Saunders.

“We didn’t get going. In the warm-up, we looked a little bit flat.

“We were missing a few players - I don’t know if that has an effect - but I’m just disappointed with how we started the game.

“We got in the lead and you think, ‘OK, this might spark us into life’ and it didn’t.

“The biggest disappointment for me is the two goals they’ve scored.

“Even though we didn’t play well, they’re both easily avoidable.

Report: Tonbridge 2-2 Hampton

“The first one’s a little bit lucky, he’s volleyed it into the ground and it’s bounced over Toby (Steward, keeper), and the second one’s just poor.

“We’ve let the lad come in off the line, play a one-two and allowed him to get a shot off and I think Toby can do better with it.

“I’m disappointed from that point of view but pleased with the character to keep going to the end and get a point.

“I said to them at the end, ‘You’ve got to show that character, you can’t give up’.

“We went through a spell where we let them overrun us a little bit.

“Once we got going we looked like we could get back in the game at the end.”

Saunders felt both sides should have had a penalty before a shove in Vincent’s back saw referee Chay Hathaway point to the spot.

The former Portsmouth man made no mistake as Tonbridge made it nine league games without defeat to go with their FA Cup victory over Merstham last weekend.

“The penalty at the end, I’d have to see it again,” said Saunders.

“I think it’s harsh but when Liam stepped up I was quite confident he’d score.

“I’m pleased because it gives the boys confidence that if we’re not at our best we can still get a point.

“But the goals we conceded are a big thing for me.

“Sometimes you don’t play your best but you keep a clean sheet and move on but we gave away two sloppy goals.

“But we’ve showed character, we’ve come back, and we’re still unbeaten, which is a bonus.

“Yes, I’d like a few of those draws to be wins but to be 10 games unbeaten, including the FA Cup, is a great start for us.”