A penalty by Ashley Kington in the 90th minute gave Weston a narrow 2-1 victory over Tonbridge Angels.

WESTON-S-MARE 2

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 1

AFTER a two-match lay-off, Weston recorded their first Skrill South win of the New Year over a gallant Tonbridge side who played the entire second half with only 10 men.

But the Seagulls had to wait until the 90th minute to score the winner from a penalty after being pushed all the way by their lowly opponents who are in 19th spot in the table, but have four games in hand over their nearest rivals.

The home side were strengthened by the return of Martin Slocombe and skipper Ben Kirk who had both missed the previous six games through injury. However, they were missing Naby Diallo, who started a two-game suspension for a recent dismissal, as well as long-termed injured Brett Trowbridge, Kane Ingram and Luke Purnell.

The visitors started well, using the pace of Gavin McCallum down the middle and Ryan Watts and former Bristol City and Clevedon Town’s Henry Muggeridge down the flanks.

Muggeridge had an effort on target, while new signing Tom Collins was just over with a header. In another attack, home keeper Lloyd Irish did well to cut out a cross by Watts as McCallum closed in.

As Weston got going, Dayle Grubb and Ashley Kington tested keeper Lewis Carey, who played a handful of games for Weston last season while on loan from Bristol City, while Alec Fiddes was narrowly wide and the Seagulls forced two early corners.

Tonbridge broke the deadlock on 28 minutes when they were awarded a free kick wide on the left near the by-line and McCallum rose on the back post to head in Watts’ kick.

McCallum almost scored again minutes later when he was played through the defence, but Irish made a superb save with his legs at the expense of a corner.

Weston came back with two more corners, while Grubb was just wide finishing a good move trading passes with Slocombe and Dan Gregson went close with a header from a corner.

The equaliser came on 34 minutes when Carey could only parry Kington’s swerving free kick from just outside the penalty area and Tristan Plummer was on hand to bang in the rebound.

Two minutes before the interval, Tonbridge’s Lee Browning was shown a straight red card for a nasty tackle on Jamie Laird who needed medical attention before resuming and in a mass brawl that followed, two players from either team were cautioned.

In the second half, Tonbridge defended well, denying the home attack and in sudden breaks, their attack looked dangerous. The home goal had a narrow escape when McCallum was again put through and he rounded Irish who had come well off his line, but with the empty goal gaping, McCallum fired over.

Carey was tested by Chas Hemmings, Grubb and Kington while Kirk was narrowly wide, but in a last attack, Weston were awarded a penalty in a crowded six-yard box for hand ball and Kington grabbed the winner from the spot.

The win lofts Weston up to ninth in the table, but they have played two more games than most teams around them.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Weston, Plummer (34), Kington (90 penalty). Angels, McCallum (28)

Shots on target: Weston 7, Angels 3.

Shots off target: Weston 6, Angels 6.

Corners: Weston 6, Angels 3.

Offsides: Weston 1, Angels 4.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 11, Angels 7.

Referee: David Woolford (Andover). His usual came, good display.

Bookings: Weston, Slocombe, Kirk, Plummer, Grubb. Angels: Browning (red), Piper, Miles, Watts.

Attendance: 254.

Weston squad: Irish Fiddes, Slocombe, Walker (Ash 82), Jamie Laird, Gregson, Kirk, Hemmings, Plummer, Kington, Grubb. Subs (not used): Callum Laird, Brown, McGregor, Knowles.

ON Saturday, Weston travel to Gander Green Lane to take on Sutton United (3pm). The party will leave at10am.

When the sides met in November, the game ended 1-1, Weston’s goal coming from Alec Fiddes.