Hendon were left very frustrated on Tuesday evening, conceding a goal in the third minute of stoppage time to lose 1-0 at Billericay Town in a game that saw both sides reduced to ten men.

The Greens were down to the bare bones, with just one outfield substitute fit enough to take part in the game due to injuries and unavailablilty. Despite this, there was just one change to the starting line up, Kevin Maclaren replacing Scott Cousins, who pulled up with an injury during the warm up. Cousins was named on the bench, but was never going to take any part in the game.

The first half was played at a high tempo, with both sides playing some good one touch football, but with little end product. The first chance of the game came after 7 minutes when Lee O'Leary met a corner with his head, and forced Paul Nicholls into a low save.

At the other end, Billericay's first chance fell to Danny Green, who was involved in much of the home side's creative play. However, his 15th minute effort flew comfortably wide of the target.

Ten minutes later, a fine one touch passing move ended with Jamie Busby firing wide. Billericay immediately broke to the other end, but Simon Thomas' run was stopped by a superb tackle from James Parker.

Berkley Laurencin's good form in goal for the Greens continued, with the young 'keeper making two good saves in the first half, the best coming from a fierce drive from Reece Prestedge shortly before half-time.

The opening twenty minutes of the second period continued in the same manner as the first; fast and frantic, but totally devoid of any clear cut chances.

It wasn't until the 68th minute that anything of note happened when Billericay were the first to be reduced to ten men, Michael Shinn receiving his second caution of the evening.

Four minutes later, Anthony Thomas, who had a largely subdued performance, hit a curling shot which Nicholls failed to hold at the first attempt. However, the experienced keeper managed to smother the ball before Busby could fire the ball home.

Hendon had the next good chance after 83 minutes Peter Dean struck the ball at goal. However, the home side were relieved to see the ball take a deflection and allow Nicholls to make a comfortable save.

Just six minutes from time, it was Hendon's turn to have a player dismissed. Right-back Dave Diedhiou, who had received a harsh booking a few minutes previously, made an unnecessary challenge. That resulted in him receiving a second caution, consequently joining Shinn in taking an early bath. The general feeling from both benches was that Diedhiou was unfortunate to have been sent off due to the harsh nature of the first caution, whereas Shinn's dismissal was thoroughly deserved.

The decisive moment of the game came in the final minute of stoppage time. Casey Maclaren brought down a blue shirt on the right wing to conceed a free kick. Green stepped up and curled the ball into the box, where Laurencin and Chris Wild challenged for the ball in the air. Wild, who was the tallest player on the pitch, just about won out and was able to nod the ball home from close range.

There was enough time for the Greens to take one final set piece, but Busby's free kick failed to test the Billericay defence.

"I felt that we were the better side tonight," said manager Gary McCann after the game. "However, whilst our back four and midfield were superb, we were lacking in the final third, and failed to really test their keeper."