Ryman Premier Division

Dover moved three points closer to the title and promotion, winning an eventful match at Billericay Town 3-2.

Dean Hill put the Whites ahead after 29 minutes, but the home side equalised four minutes later, bundling the ball home inside the area, after Ollie Schultz failed to clear. Shaun Welford restored Andy Hessenthaler’s side’s lead just before the break, following a cross from the right. However, the home side got a stiff talking to at half time and responded immediately with a free kick on 49 minutes, Alan Pouton fouling on the edge of the area. Just as it looked like the league leaders would have to settle for a point, Frannie Collin found Lee Browning inside the area, as he tapped home on 55 minutes. Dover’s lead over second-placed Staines is now 16 points, meaning The Whites need just two more wins to seal the title.

Tonbridge kept up their bid for a play-off place, with a dramatic late comeback at Longmead against Ashford Town (Middx). After a goalless first half, the action came thick and fast in the second, with the visitors taking the lead on 52 minutes. Things went from bad for worse for Tommy Warrilow’s men, as Tim Olorunda was sent off on 58 minutes for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, before the resulting penalty was tucked home to make it 2-0 to Ashford.

With just three minutes remaining, Tonbridge began their comeback. Karl Rook’s speculative lob from the edge of the box found its way in and then on 89 minutes, Steve Ferguson tapped in at the far post for what appeared to be a late equaliser. Five minutes of stoppage time were then added on and in the third of those, Fraser Logan blasted home an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner to steal all three points. The Angels are now eight points clear in third place.

Dartford’s play-off push suffered a set back with a 2-0 defeat at AFC Hornchurch, who jump above them in the table to sixth.

Maidstone and Margate shared the spoils, as the Kent derby at Bourne Park finished 1-1. Kenny Pratt put Terry Yorath’s side ahead after 17 minutes, but Lloyd Blackman’s second-half penalty on 62 minutes grabbed a point for the Stones, who’s bid for the play-offs continues to fade in 10th. Margate remain third from bottom despite the point.

Ramsgate’s survival hopes took another dent as they went down 1-0 at home to Hastings United. Jay May looked to have put the home side ahead when he rounded the keeper for an open goal in the 22nd minute, but the referee thought May had used his arm. An ill-timed challenge in the area by Danny Walder in the 74th minute allowed Sam Adams to score from the spot to seal the points for the men from Sussex. The Rams disappointment was complete in the 95th minute, when Jamie Turner was dismissed for his second caution. Jim Ward’s side are second from bottom and three points behind Margate.

Division One

In Division One South, a mixed afternoon for the county’s sides.

Cray Wanderers missed the chance to consolidate their lead at the top, losing 2-0 at home to Whyteleafe. The result ends an eight-game winning streak and leaves Cray with a five point lead over Fleet Town.

Whyteleafe took the lead on 38 minutes from a disputed free-kick, Ryan Gray’s shot somehow managing to squirm through Glen Knight’s hands and just across the line. A flat performance from the home side was punished 13 minutes from time, when an Asha Hudson header on the break doubled the visitors’ lead.

Ashford did Cray no favours, losing 3-2 to Fleet Town at Homelands.

Ashford striker Shawn Beveney was handed an early bath, as he was sent off on 20 minutes for an off-the-ball incident with a Fleet player. The visitors then opened the scoring after the break on 49 minutes and doubled their advantage on 62 minutes. A spectacular own goal and a Craig Wilkins header from Mitchell Sherwood’s corner then made it 2-2 with eight minutes left, but some slack Ashford defending gifted Fleet the winner on 83 minutes. Ashford remain seventh in their bid to reach the play-offs.

Just ahead of them on goal difference are Sittingbourne, who’s play-off hopes were also dented, with a goalless draw at Walton Casuals.

Folkestone won 1-0 at home to Eastbourne Town. James Everitt capitalised from close range on 14 minutes, after Eastbourne keeper Russell Tanner saved an initial effort from a disputed corner. Neil Cugley’s men dominated the first half, but were made to sweat it out in a much more even second half as they stay twelfth.

Whitstable moved a step closer to survival with a 2-0 home win against Merstham. After a goalless first half, Jake Guest opened the scoring on 67 minutes from a Jack Tanner corner. However, Tanner’s afternoon came to an abrupt end ten minutes later, when he was sent off for a reckless challenge. New signing Dominic Elms eased the nerves at The Belmont and sealed the points for The Oystermen, scoring in the 90th minute with his first touch. Manager Marc Seager described it as a huge three points: “it’s a big step on the road to survival in this division and ahead of a tough trip to high-flying Kingstonian next week, a vital result.

“This is just the tonic we needed and another three points should be enough for us to be safe.”

In Division One North, Chatham made it six games unbeaten after a convincing 3-0 home win over Waltham Forest. Matt Solly put The Chats ahead on 30 minutes with a lob over the oncoming keeper and he was on hand to make it 2-0 from the spot after the break. Byron Walker was clean through on goal, before being brought down in the area on the hour mark and the visitors were reduced to ten men. Justin Ashceri then rounded off the scoring on 65 minutes, as he latched on to a loose back pass and some slack Waltham defending. Chatham are 14th in the table.

Finally, Thamesmead drew a blank, drawing 0-0 at home to Leyton. Manager Keith McMahon saw the result as two points dropped, rather than a point gained: “we should have had about two or three really, but we couldn’t find that killer touch in the box.

“It was a very one-sided affair to be honest and we had some great chances to kill them off.”