Angels were deservedly beaten by Hemel Hempstead Town as they failed to replicate the kind of form that had seen them win their last three league games.

The only changes to Angels Boss, Jay Saunders line up from Saturday’s win at Cheshunt saw the injured Ben Swift unavailable through injury with Santos getting a start. Tommie Fagg moved to the back line to partner Sonny Miles.

At least the officials had turned up on time unlike last season’s equivalent fixture, but unfortunately this time it was the match day programmes that hadn’t arrived.

Hemel had the better of the first half and were particularly strong on their right flank where Angel Braham-Barrett was given a torrid 45 minutes. There were countless corners which for the most part Angels defence dealt with although on 27 minutes Henly was forced to make a smart save to his right to prevent a Hemel header from entering the net.

A minute later Angels had their best chance of the half when Santos was put through by Taylor but his effort skimmed the left hand post.

Ironically the Tudors goal which came in the 40th minute did not originate from the right but came down the middle of the pitch following a misjudgement from Crowhurst which left the Angels defence cruelly exposed with Morgan-Griffiths finishing well.

Angels had huffed and puffed but the fact is they failed to force a proper save out of King during that first period.

There were two decent moments for Tonbridge soon after the second half got underway with Joe Turner’s shot smothered by King and then Soares forcing the Tudors keeper into action but there was no breakthrough for the visitors.

It was the home side who largely then took control of events with some dazzling flank play that constantly left the Angels defence with plenty of work to do, but it was with the attack that supporters from Kent will have been more disappointed with. Passes often went astray and when the players did get a sight of goal they took far too long to get a shot away. There seemed to be a lack of confidence.

Meanwhile at the other end Hemel Hempstead were enjoying themselves backed by their vociferous supporters. For all their efforts however that second goal which would surely have made the game safe just wouldn’t come thanks to some great work by Henly, Miles and latterly substitute Tyrie.

As so often the case in these kinds of matches although playing second best it’s odds on that a late chance will come to the side that’s behind and that chance came in the 90th minute when Santos’ effort brought out a great save from King that ensured the points stayed with Hemel. In truth it would have been a little unfair on the Tudors if they had conceded late and had to share the points.

Afterwards, Saunders said: “We never really got going, the changes didn’t help. I thought we were a yard off it, not good enough in possession.”