Carshalton Athletic 1 Tonbridge Angels 2

After another week of upheaval at Colston Avenue - which saw the departure of Francis Vines and the appointment of Ian Hazel as replacement manager for the remainder of the season - the changes on the field proved less effective, as the Robins slipped to their third defeat in a row against their fellow strugglers.

Back in the Robins line-up was Charlie Ide to add some punch to the attack, but it was the usual vulnerability at the back that enabled the Angels to take a two-goal lead before the Robins pulled a goal back late in the game.

With Karl Murray out of the side on a two-game suspension, Carshalton started with Richard Jolly playing behind the two main strikers, and it was the home side that created the first real chance, when David Ray’s left-foot cross found Barry Stevens in the six-yard box.

Goalkeeper Lee Worgan was stranded but Stevens's glancing header was just wide of the far post and inches away from the on-rushing Craig Faulconbridge.

The Angels were soon going forward though and Mensuach Nugent broke away down the right before passing to an unmarked Jerahyl Hughes in front of goal.

Nick Hamann was down smartly to smother his weak shot, but the linesman’s offside flag was already raised.

Tonbridge kept the pressure on, with former Robin, Liam Harwood, heading over and, shortly after, Carshalton survived a potential embarrassment when Joe Dolan’s back header caught Hamann out of position and in need of a quick recovery.

Carshalton staged something of a comeback, with a dangerous run by Stevens from Gerry Gonella’s pass being stopped at the expense of a corner presenting Ray with the chance for a shot that dropped on the top netting.

Rob Watkins' cross from the left was blocked at the front post by Worgan and Justyn Roberts header from a corner by Kenny Beaney should have put the home team in front.

The Angels responded well, with Nugent and Paul Booth probing the Robins defence and the break-through came on 40 minutes, with a virtual repeat of an earlier move that saw Nugent breaking freely down the right against a back-pedalling home defence before presenting Hughes with an easy scoring chance.

Jolly was pushed forward when the second half began and the change almost produced an instant reward when a fine passing move involving Gonella, Faulconbridge, and Stevens ended with Jolly’s shot passing just wide of the upright.

There were signs that the Jolly and Ide pairing might be able to pick up from where it left off last season and Watkins twice found space to knock in dangerous crosses from the left.

The second of these forced a corner that was cleared to Ray and his fierce shot hit the bar before a throughball by substitute Rashid Kamara found Faulconbridge in a shooting but offside position.

The Robins' spell of pressure counted for nothing, however, when they were caught out on the break 20 minutes from the end.

Lee Minshull picked up a clearance in midfield and his well-placed pass to Booth gave the Tonbridge striker the chance to pick his spot with a shot that Hamann could only get a touch on but not keep out.

Carshalton kept going as the players tired on a heavy pitch and managed to score a late consolation when Ide cut inside from the right before beating Worgan with a low shot just inside the post, but they were unable to create another real chance and could have lost more heavily had Booth put away a relatively easy headed chance late in the game.

The defeat consigns Carshalton into the bottom four for the first time, with the mark of a successful season now being the climb to a position of league safety.

Robins: Nick Hamann, David Ray, Rob Watkins, Justyn Roberts, Joe Dolan (Dave Woozley), Gerry Gonella (Rashid Kamara), Barry Stevens, Kenny Beaney, Craig Faulconbridge, Richard Jolly, Charlie Ide

Subs not used: Stefan Cox, Michael Lee Charles, Lewis Gonsalves

Attendance: 262

Forthcoming games

Tuesday, February 23 (7.45pm): Hendon v Carshalton Athletic, Ryman League Premier Division

Saturday, February 27 (3pm): Carshalton Athletic v Canvey Island, Ryman League Premier Division

Tuesday, March 2 (7.45pm): Carshalton Athletic v Tooting & Mitcham, Ryman League Premier Division