TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2

DARTFORD 4 aet

Kent Senior Cup quarter-final

IF ONLY Tonbridge Angels could have taken the chances they carved out in the final quarter of normal time, then the club's fans could have been looking forward to a home semi-final tie against League One leaders Charlton.

Jon Main, returning for his first appearance since September, Frannie Collin and Jake Beecroft had good chances to finish off Dartford in the closing stages, but failed to convert and Tony Burman's side scored two goals in the second period of extra time to kill off Angels' hopes.

Angels had been pegged back after taking a two-goal lead and a 25 minute period in the second half, where they took their foot off the gas, proved to be key in the final reckoning.

"I have no complaints about the result – Dartford were the better side, but I am disappointed we didn't take those chances late in the game," he said. "We went two goals up and, instead of us going on, Dartford then dominated the next 20-25 minutes. I knew if it went to extra time, then fitness would kick in – we have only played two games this month and they had such a quality bench."

After a fairly uneventful opening to the match, Angels took the lead in the 13th minute. Chris Piper won the ball in midfield and drove forward towards the Dartford area.

The midfielder sprayed the ball to Ade Olorunda on the left, the striker's low cross was partially cleared by Bonner, but straight to Piper and he finished.

Dartford went close in the 28th minute, but Lee Worgan pulled off a fine save to deny Tony Garrod, who met Jack Pallen's cross at the back post and the first half ended with Angels 1-0 up.

Within two minutes of the restart, Angels scored their second and Piper was involved again.

Olorunda outmuscled Tom Champion and he released Piper. The midfielder made his way into the area, drew the defenders to him and picked out Nathan Koranteng on the back post, who finished low under Deren Ibrahim.

Pallen started the Darts' recovery in the 53rd minute when he finished Ryan Hayes' cross from close range and the momentum was swinging in the visitors' favour.

Winger Hayes gave a curious performance on the night, one minute he looked like world beater, but in the next moment, more like a Sunday league player.

If you put together a montage of his worst moments – his shooting was particularly woeful – and put the Benny Hill music to it, it would go viral on YouTube.

Richard Graham brought his side level with 24 minutes to play, finishing well when Lee Burns' cross found him inside the area, but then, Angels began to assert themselves again.

Main scuffed a shot wide from the edge of the area, curled a shot inches wide of the far post after opening up his body to create the angle, Collin's fizzing effort went over and Ibrahim was thankful Beecroft's attempt was straight at him from 10 yards.

So the game went into extra time and Dartford finished Angels off in the second period.

Graham got his second of the night when he converted a low cross from close range and Burns finished off Angels' resistance when he slid the ball under the onrushing Worgan.

Angels host Boreham Wood on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, and travel to Staines on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.