Thame United 2,

Hemel Hempstead Tn 3

Thame United were robbed of a deserved draw as a last-minute goal from Brian Jones earned visitors Hemel Hempstead victory at their Ryman League Division 1 North rivals on Saturday.

It was hard luck on Thame who looked to have done enough to earn a second successive point, following their New Year draw at Uxbridge.

Jones gave Hemel a 28th-minute lead, but Thame should have levelled just before the break when Nando Perna saw his shot palmed out by goalkeeper Martin Peat to John Mitchell, who somehow ballooned his follow-up over the bar.

Within four minutes of the restart, Hemel went 2-0 up when Ben Hammond netted with the Thame defence vainly appealing for an offside earlier in the move.

Shortly afterwards, Thame introduced substitute Alex Stewart and the tall striker reduced the arrears on 65 minutes when he curled a right-foot shot past Peat.

Within minutes, Thame were level when Tom Goffe finished decisively.

On 73 minutes came what was probably the game's defining moment. Thame were awarded a free-kick just outside the box, Mark Jones's perfectly struck shot seemed destined to score, but Peat made an incredible left-handed save to deny him.

The keeper followed that up with another free-kick save, this time from Stewart.

Mark Avery then hit the bar for Thame, but with a draw looking likely, a swift break saw Jones grab the winner.

Even then the home side were not finished and Ben Freeman's volley was cleared off the line by Daniel West, the Hemel centre back.

Thame United: Smith, Avery, Joyce, Saulsbury, Perna, Freeman, Gardner (Stewart 56), Mitchell, Hocking, MC Jones, Goffe. Subs not used: Bradley, Lane, Death, West.

Attendance: 209.