Ryman Div 1N: Romford 2 Witham 3

Romford were left empty-handed after throwing away a two-goal lead against high-flying Witham at Ship Lane.

Boro looked set for a morale-boosting win after goals from Tom Richardson and Eddie Hart put them on top.

But Witham hit back to level and snatched victory with an injury-time goal from Kris Newby to make off with the points.

Boro had to clear off their own goalline twice in the opening three minutes before George Woodward fired over from an Abs Seymour pass.

But Paul Martin’s men got their noses in front when Richardson fired home from the penalty spot after only 10 minutes, after Bradley Stokes was adjudged to have fouled Jamie Dicks.

Ryan Imbert was agonisingly close to converting Richardson’s cross on 18 minutes before the returning Atu Ngoy had to scramble across his goal to save from Rob Whitnell.

The first half ended with action at both ends as Hart fired just over, Richardson’s volley was blocked and Imbert dragged wide, while Ngoy denied James Stevens and Newby.

The home side doubled their lead just three minutes into the second period as Richardson went on a surging run and found Seymour, who faked a shot and teed up Hart to clip over the keeper.

But former Hornchurch striker Dean Green outmuscled Scott Truman, despite Boro’s protests, and teed up Newby for a reply just before the hour and Stevens converted from the spot when Seymour was adjudged to have fouled a player inside the box.

Newby fired the winner past Ngoy in the second minute of stoppage time but angry Boro felt they should have had another penalty before the final whistle, but their appeals for handball were ignored by referee Hallem Cutmore.

Martin’s men slipped closer to the relegation zone as a result and will hope to bounce back when Chatham visit on Wednesday.

Romford: Ngoy, Ottley, Woodward, Truman (Norris 65), Ishmail, Clayton, Dicks, Seymour (Sammut 74), Imbert, Richardson, Hart (Francis 83).

Unused subs: Long, Tranter.