AFC Hornchurch 3 Carshalton Athletic 2

Quite how the Robins managed to leave Bridge Avenue empty-handed will be one of the mysteries of the season but, from seemingly cruising to a comfortable away win, they imploded in the final five minutes to tumble to an embarrassing defeat.

All credit to the home team, who raised themselves from the dead to take maximum advantage, as the Robins lost their shape and discipline following Zak Graham's sending-off for time-wasting with the end in sight.

Graham should have given the Robins an early lead when the ball was flicked into his path by Dwayne Plummer but, with only the keeper to beat, he screwed his attempted shot horribly wide and things got worse shortly after when he became the first name into the book of the match official.

Play was mainly confined to the midfield in the early stages, but Liam Harwood tried his luck with a shot from fully 40 yards that Brightly safely held despite an awkward bounce.

Both sides were forced into early substitutions, with Michael Johnson coming on for Plummer, who had sustained a knee injury.

The Robins' changed line-up looked better balanced, but both sides were struggling to create clear chances.

Howe looked in confident form in the Robins goal and was only really tested by a snapshot by Frank Curley that produced a crisp save.

The Urchins created the first chance in the second half as the game opened up.

Simon Parker chose to pass instead of shoot when well placed, but Kris Lee hesitated when the ball came to him and Howe smothered the chance.

Six minutes in, Carshalton took the lead. Johnson showed good control and skill as he worked his way down the left before slipping the ball inside to Rob Ursell.

The Robins midfielder stepped inside his marker before curling a glorious shot around Brightly into the top corner.

Spurred on by this the Robins pushed forward and when Ruggles was put through his shot was blocked at the expense of a corner.

When Evans flighted the kick in from the left, Lewis Gonsalves was first to the ball and his powerful header flashed past the keeper.

Johnson broke again down the left and Ruggles came close to a third as the Robins looked to be in control and untroubled by the home team's sporadic attacks.

The clock was running down and an away win looked a formality, but it all started to go wrong when, with five minutes left, Graham picked up his second yellow card and dismissal for time stupidly wasting time from a throw-in.

What should have been an inconvenience became a problem when Hornchurch grabbed the lifeline given to them and a cross from the left gave Lee the chance to pull a goal back with a stooping header from close range.

From being out for the count, the Urchins pressed forward and Parker equalised on the stroke of full time with a low shot into the left hand corner.

Surely, it couldn't have got worse from a Robins point of view, but football has the knack of providing the unexpected and in time added on Kris Lee broke down the right and with the Robins awaiting an offside decision the flag stayed down and Lee steered home another low shot to put his side in front.

Rarely can the difference between elation and despair have been so extreme.

Robins: Howe, Graves, Carpenter, Gonsalves, Harwood, Harte, Graham, Evans, Ruggles, Plummer (Johnson), Ursell (Cooper). Subs not used: Watts, WilsonNext gamesTuesday, February 19 (7.45pm): Carshalton Athletic v Walton Casuals, Ryman League Cup quarter-finalSaturday, February 23 (3pm): Carshalton Athletic v East Thurrock United, Ryman Premier DivisionMonday, February 25 (7.45pm): Chelmsford City v Carshalton Athletic, Ryman Premier Division