Hendon 2, Tilbury 1

TILBURY bowed out of the Isthmian Velocity Cup at the fourth round hurdle, running Premier Division promotion-chasers Hendon close at Silver Jubilee Park.

Ultimately the Dockers were beaten by a late goal from the hosts' Stefan Ilic - and then suffered the double disappointment of seeing leading striker Alex Hernandez, who had put them level in the second half, sent off deep into added time.

The match was played out in front of just 96 spectators, who saw Hendon made a decent start and they went close when Joe White shot over the bar, and then some desperate defending by Dockers saw the ball cleared off the line in a scramble following a corner.

Pressure eventually told and the high-flying Isthmian North visitors found themselves a goal behind on 22 minutes when Kai Brosnan produced a shot that was too powerful for Tilbury keeper David Hughes to stop.

Further pressing play followed from Hendon and they may have felt a little disappointed at going into the break just one ahead after going close several times.

Tilbury did have a rare opportunity just before the half time whistle but Sam Bantick's shot went over, though the visitors will have been heartened by an upbeat end to the half.

However, it was Hendon who came out blazing on the restart and Hughes did well to keep out Brosnan's shot and then, after good work from Dave Diedhiou, Hughes was again put to the test, tipping Michael O'Donoghue's effort onto the bar.

Dockers responded by winning a corner and Hendon failed to clear their lines after it was delivered and Hernandez pounced to put them level in the 66th minute.

Hughes continued to shine and was responsible for another good save, keeping out another Brosnan shot but there was little he could do with eight minutes remaining when sub Ronnie Mfinda crossed and Ilic got what proved to be the winner from close range.

Deep into four minutes of added time Hernandez was involved in an incident and was red-carded.

Dockers are back in league action on Saturday when they entertain South Essex and Thameside neighbours Concord Rangers at the EMR Stadium, the first time the two sides have met in league action since 2010.