Tonbridge made the most of their second chance in the FA Trophy after a stunning fightback.

Angels trailed Ashford (Middlesex) 3-0 early in the second half at Longmead last Saturday. But winger Nick Wheeler gave them hope with goals on 55 and 68 minutes, then Nathan Elder salvaged a draw with eight minutes left.

Angels made no mistake in Tuesday night’s replay, Luke Blewden scoring twice in a 4-1 victory.

Luke Allen opened the scoring after two minutes and Blewden made it two on 28.
Ashford replied early in the second half but late goals from Jerrome Sobers and Blewden sealed Angels’ progress.

Boss Steve McKimm said: “We needed two bites of the cherry but I’m pleased to get over the line with a patched-up side. We could have been 2-0 up before they scored on Saturday, then it seemed like every time we made a mistake they punished us.

“At 3-0 down I always felt we’d score but wasn’t sure we’d get three."

Tonbridge return to Ryman League Premier Division action at home to Kingstonian on Saturday. They meet again in the FA Trophy second qualifying round next weekend, with Angels the away team.

George Beaven and Sonny Miles returned from injuries last weekend but Tom Phipp (hamstring) is a doubt while Elder missed the FA Trophy replay for family reasons and could be out again.

Tonbridge host National League Bromley in round two of the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).