THURROCK were made to settle for a point after Tonbridge Angels hit an 89th minute equaliser to deny Fleet victory.

Joel Nouble and Joe Christou found the back of the net for the home side, but Alexander Akrofi and Chris Kinnear were on target for the visitors.

Thurrock were looking to get back to winning ways after suffering two defeats on the road. 

It was the hosts that got the first chance just three minutes in.

Ronnie Winn ran from deep on the left flank and cut in on his right foot but saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Jonathan Henly.

Akrofi gave Tonbridge a 24th minute lead as he cut in from the left wing before dispatching his effort into the top corner.

Thurrock didn’t look discouraged and battled bravely to take the game to the visitors. And minutes after, the opener Thurrock drew level.

Right-back Adetayo Osifuwa went long to find Reece Morgan’s overlapping run on the right.

Henly came a long way to clear with his head, but only as far as Nouble. The crowd held their breath as the winger’s first-time finish bounced into the middle of the goal and into the back of the net.

Minutes into the second period, Thurrock came close to going ahead.

Winn drove forward from deep, dragging two defenders out before sliding in Dennis Oli one on one with the goalkeeper, but the striker’s low effort was blocked well by Henly. 

And Fleet went ahead on 77 minutes as Winn’s corner was floated to the back post and met by Christou, who rose the highest to head through a crowded goalmouth and into the back of the net.

Tonbridge piled on late pressure as they went in search of an equaliser, and it came one minute before time.

George Winn was harshly penalised for a tackle 20 yards from goal on Tonbridge’s right flank, which gave them one last chance to sling the ball into the penalty box.

The ball was whipped across the face of the goal and met by Kinnear, who powered his header past Jake Jessup.