Smith nets injury-time winner for Urchins

Lewis Smith’s last-gasp strike lifted Hornchurch to a 1-0 win over East Thurrock at Bridge Avenue.

Defences dominated for most of the Ryman Premier Division derby but, with only seconds remaining, Joe Anderson picked out Smith just outside the box and he took advantage of a slip in the visiting defence to fire into the top corner.

Urchins were without suspended duo Martin Tuohy and Frankie Curley, while Jon Hunt was absent due to illness.

And manager Jimmy McFarlane saw Reiss Noel limp off midway through the first half to be replaced by debutant Jamie Love.

Another newcomer, Troy Powell-Quarry, came off the bench on the hour to replace Les Thompson but former Urchin Richard Wray denied the hosts with several saves, until the final moments of injury time.

Victory kept Urchins two points adrift of table-topping Billericay, following their win over Met Police.

Romford, meanwhile, finished with nine men in a controversial 1-0 defeat at Ryman One North rivals Ware.

Boro were left fuming in the opening minutes when a Ware player escaped with only a yellow card after appearing to use an elbow.

Romford captain Paul Clayton was then shown a straight red card inside the opening quarter of an hour, for a mistimed challenge.

The ten men still had their share of play and Abs Seymour forced a save from the home keeper in the second half. But lowly Ware claimed the points when Lewis Jones forced the ball home from close range two minutes from time.

And Romford’s misery was compounded when second-half substitute Jamie Dicks was sent off for a trip, which led to a melee and further bookings for the visitors, but not their hosts.

Boro will hope for better when they visit Ilford on Wednesday.

The Foxes were edged out 2-1 by rivals Redbridge in their derby clash at the weekend.