The Angels, who have been in good form at home recently saw a half-time lead disappear against Bath City, whose away form is as good as any.

On a wet afternoon at the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium and with much of the surrounding areas under water following a couple of days of heavy rain, the 3G surface showed its true worth as just under a 1,000 people were able to travel, safe in the knowledge that the game would go ahead.

A late change to the starting XI, saw Jamie Fielding, not quite ready to return following his injury, so Tariq Hinds took the right back slot. Ben Swift returned in place of Joe Tyrie and there was a rare absence for Joe Turner, also injured. New signing Dajon Golding took a place on the bench.

Bath opened the game on the front foot and it took good blocks from Swift to deny Kieran Parselle after five minutes and almost immediately, Parselle sent in a cross that begged a touch in front of goal.

Tonbridge grew into the game and Lewis Gard saw an effort blocked and the Bath keeper, Ryan Clarke, saved from TQ Addy.

Tonbridge had their goalkeeper, Jonny Henly, to thank, saving brilliantly from Dan Hayfield and Luke Spokes, before they went ahead on 38 minutes when a 20 yard effort from Jeremy Santos was only parried by Clarke into the path of Louis Collins, who gratefully took the opportunity.

Santos was injured just prior to the break and needed to be substituted by Nathan Wood for the second half.

The second period saw the visitors take control of the game and from a chance at one end when Craig Braham-Barrett saw his shot saved at the near post, the ball was swept upfield for Hayfield to smash a shot past Henly on 64 minutes.

On 71 minutes, Bath were in front when a corner travelled to the far post and in the midst of a scramble Alex Fletcher poked the ball home.

Tonbridge made a spirited effort to retrieve a point but Bath’s back line stood firm without offering up to much in the way of chances.

Jay Saunders was praiseworthy of his opponents: “Bath were very good, the best side we’ve played this season, but we made it easy for them at times.”

Photo by Wesley Filtness. Tonbridge Angels photographs can be found at www.wezpix.com