Lydd survived a late scare to move up to second place in Southern Counties East Division 1.

They raced into a three-goal lead away at SC Thamesmead, thanks to Tyler Sterling, Troy Howard and Luke Burdon.

The visitors took their foot off the gas in the second half, with Fred Agyemang’s double setting up a tight finish.

“We absolutely blew them away in the first half,” said Lydd boss Mickey Doyle, whose side climbed above Larkfield after their 3-2 victory.

“We went with more of an attacking line-up and just came out the traps.

“We got after them, scored the three goals, and we could have had six or seven in the first half.

“We just lacked a bit of quality in the final third. We shot when we should have passed and passed when we should have shot.

“I think we probably just thought the job was done and we got a bit sloppy in the second half.

“We still had three or four decent chances but then we’ve conceded a couple of bad goals where we’ve switched off.

“All credit to Thamesmead. They got a telling-off at half-time and they’ve come out and changed their shape and maybe that helped them a bit.

“We’re pleased with what we saw in the first half, not in the second, but three points is all that matters at this stage.”

Doyle’s men are without a game this weekend.

He said: “It’ll be nice to have a weekend off and recharge, ready for the final play-off push.

“We’ve got five games to go and we want three or four wins to make sure we get in the play-offs and get home advantage. No one likes travelling to Lydd.”