Tonbridge Angels 2 Hampton & Richmond 2 match report: Liam Vincent scores injury-time penalty to keep hosts unbeaten in National League South

Liam Vincent’s injury-time penalty preserved Tonbridge’s unbeaten start to the National League South season.

Angels appeared to be heading for a first defeat as they trailed 2-1 in the closing stages.

But when Vincent was bundled down in the box, he got up and sent keeper Ted Curd the wrong way from the spot in the fourth of six added minutes.

Earlier, debutant Jason Adigun put Tonbridge in front but they conceded for the first time in six league games - a run stretching 494 minutes - as James Roberts equalised.

Hampton then went in front when Mauro Vilhete beat Toby Steward from distance early in the second half but Vincent salvaged a point.

Adigun was one of three changes to the side who beat Merstham in the FA Cup last weekend.

He gave fans an early glimpse of his ability to make things happen in attack with a run and cross down the right.

But Tonbridge saw little of the ball before taking the lead, with Hampton bossing possession in the hosts’ half.

The Beavers probed away and were in on goal when Bunmi Babajide latched on to Alfie Williams’ ball but Joe Tyrie - in for the injured Jamie Fielding - made a superb last-ditch challenge.

An injury to Scott Wagstaff gave Tonbridge a chance to regroup and, shortly after play restarted, they took a 15th-minute lead with a well-woked goal.

Wagstaff started the move in midfield, finding Sean Shields, who worked the ball out wide to Vincent on the left.

The wing-back sent over a lovely cross for Adigun to finish at the back post on his Angels debut.

Tonbridge had a good spell after taking the lead but Hampton levelled in the 24th minute when Williams’ deep cross from the left was met first-time by Roberts, whose shot into the ground bounced beyond Steward and into the far corner.

Hampton went on to enjoy plenty more possession before the half was out and while it was mainly in front of the Angels defence, there was another scare when Williams once again released Babajide, Ronny Nelson with an important challenge this time.

Mike Atkinson had two bites of the cherry from the resulting corner but Tonbridge survived and might have regained the lead in injury time when Trevan Robinson headed over from Vincent’s cross.

Hampton went 2-1 up in the 57th minute.

Angels keeper Steward got his hands to Vilhete’s 20-yard strike but couldn’t keep it out.

The hosts needed a response and almost had one when Adigun broke into the box and worked Curd, who held on with Shields lurking to pounce on any spillage.

Tonbridge turned to Noel Leighton with 20 minutes left, giving the 41-goal summer signing from Three Bridges his debut after recovering from a pre-season knee injury.

He was quickly into the action, crossing for Shields, whose effort was saved by Curd at the near post.

Angels had a big penalty shout turned down left when Vincent appeared to be pulled down with just over five minutes left.

But when he went down again following a cross from the right, referee Chay Hathaway did point to the spot this time - and Vincent did the rest.

Tonbridge: Steward, Lema, Barkin (Leighton 71mins), Tyrie (Hinds 81mins), Nelson, Vincent, Maloney, Wagstaff (Dabre 64mins), Adigun (Santos 73mins), Robinson, Shields. Subs not used: Norburn.

Hampton: Curd, French, Atkinson, Keeya (Cray 71mins), Roberts, Solondo, J Taylor, Babajide, Wilhete, Revan, Williams (A Taylor 78mins). Subs not used: Wall, Critchlow, Wiltshire.

Referee: Chay Hathaway.

Attendance: 976.