Tonbridge Angels 1 Harborough Town 4 match report: Record crowd of 3,132 at Longmead sees National League South side well beaten despite Angels skipper Sean Shields’ stoppage-time goal

A record crowd watched National League South side Tonbridge miss the chance to make the FA Cup second round for the first time ever against lower-division Harborough Town on Saturday.

Angels were slight favourites for the first-round tie - a match which attracted an attendance of 3,132 - but it was Harborough who enjoyed a memorable day as it finished 4-1.

Paul Malone gave the visitors a half-time lead and top scorer Ben Stephens found the net twice after the break to effectively seal their place in the second round.

Substitute Dan Forbes appeared to wrap things up late on and, although Angels did score from skipper Sean Shields’ stoppage-time deflected shot, it was Harborough’s day.

Visiting midfielder Connor Kennedy had become the first player in referee Alan Dale’s book in just the third minute at Longmead.

He caught home defender Jamie Fielding, who had come forward for a long throw, and received a caution.

Tonbridge’s Shields then tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area on 22 minutes but his shot was comfortably gathered by Harborough keeper Elliot Taylor during what was an, understandably, cagey start.

Soon after, the visitors created their first opportunity, which saw a shot by forward Stephens deflected inches wide.

Away goalkeeper Taylor had to be at his very best to tip wide Tonbridge midfielder Shields’ powerful drive shortly after the half-hour mark.

The next chance for Jay Saunders’ side saw winger Jason Adigun bundle agonisingly wide from yards out after striker Noel Leighton had broken through the offside trap and delivered a cross-cum-shot to the far post.

Harborough were quick to threaten again at the other end, Ben Starkie firing over from long range.

But the Southern League Premier Division