Hendon gave a very good account of themselves on Tuesday evening at Longmead despite losing to their hosts, Tonbridge Angels, 2-1 in a thoroughly entertaining match.

Gary McCann made just one change to the side that started the previous league fixture at AFC Hornchurch, with James Parker returning in place of Wes Daly, who dropped down to the bench.

Both sides started brightly, and it became clear early on that everyone was intent on getting the ball down on the excellent surface and playing a good passing game.

It was the Greens whose passing and movement created the first chance six minutes into the game when Lubomir Guentchev made a good run and passed to Peter Dean who was unfortunate to see his shot fly narrowly over the bar.

Two minutes later Dave Diedhiou and Guentchev linked up and crossed to Billy Dunn, whose shot was deflected over the bar. Immediately afterwards a superb passing move involving Dean, Dunn and Guentchev saw the ball end up at the feet of James Bent who drove the ball towards goal. Angels keeper Lee Worgan stuck his arm up in the air and made a good save when a goal seemed almost certain.

Tonbridge then slowly got themselves into the game and with half an hour gone, Paul Booth fired wide with just James Reading to beat. A minute later Jean-Michel Sigere had a chance to score, but his header was well saved by the young keeper at close range.

With five minutes to go before the break, Kevin Maclaren made a superb block on the line from a Steve Ferguson shot, but it only delayed the opening goal by three minutes.

Lee Minshull picked up the ball in midfield, had a one-two with Booth, before firing the ball into the net to give the home side the lead.

Hendon were given a piece of luck immediately the second half began to equalise. Billy Dunn broke clear of the Angels defence, fired a shot at goal which Worgan appeared to have covered. No more than a couple of feet in front of the keeper, the ball hit a divot and flew over him and into the net. Despite the goal being somewhat fortunate, it was thoroughly deserved by the Greens for their efforts in the opening period.

Hendon then took control of the game, creating a number of chances. Firstly Scott Cousins slid the ball into the path of James Bent, but Worgan just managed to smother the ball first, and then Cousins delivered the ball towards Dunn who was just unable to get enough of a touch to direct the ball towards goal.

Then, somewhat against the run of play, Tonbridge regained the lead. Pat O'Donnell made a great tackle on Booth, but was lacking defensive support. Booth managed to regain control of the ball and slid it past Reading.

After that, chances were at a premium. Dean and Dunn both saw efforts go wide, whilst at the other end Minshull had a shot cleared off the line.

"We were worth at least a point tonight" said Mr McCann after the game. "That was a much better performance all round, and with better finishing we could have been two or three goals head before they took the lead."