Rivals boost play-off bids

An injury-time penalty from substitute Kieron St Aimie earned Hornchurch a valuable point against table-toppers Sutton United on Saturday to keep their Ryman Premier Division play-off challenge alive.

Sutton went close early on as Karl Murray crossed for Richard Jolly, but his header missed the target.

Hornchurch nearly took the lead when Sam Collins crossed for Lewis Smith, whose lay-off fell for Tommy Black to fire against the post.

Defences dominated after that until the 85th minute when a Sutton long ball was flicked on for Leroy Griffiths to shoot calmly past Darren Behcet.

But the home side earned a well-deserved point in the last minute of injury time when Smith was bundled over in the box and St Aimie stepped up to cooly convert from the spot.

Romford gave their Division One North hopes a lift with a 2-0 win over Enfield Town at Mill Field.

Ben Turner’s penalty on the stroke of half-time put Boro ahead and Kurt Smith sealed the points with 18 minutes remaining.

Hornchurch travel to Wembley to take on Hendon tomorrow night, while Romford visit Tilbury.