Despite going behind in a game for the first time this season, and dropping points for the first time into the bargain, Boro went back to the top of the table having been temporarily knocked off their perch by Woodford Town’s win at Coggeshall Town the previous evening.

It was a feisty game in which four players from each side were booked, a Barking player was sin binned and another sent off, and Barking manager Lee Benson was also red carded by referee James Latham.

There was a controversial moment right from the start when Bruno Gomes appeared to be impeded as he went for Jayden Silcott-Brown’s cross after five minutes but no penalty ensued. The referee’s verdict in this matter rather set the tone for a game in which more than a few decisions raised an eyebrow. There was little doubt about Barking’s opening goal however, as Jake Anderson failed to hold onto Aundre Wholas-Spencer’s corner from the right and George Okoye scored from close range after seven minutes.

Romford went close to an equaliser after 16 minutes when Junior Luke was played in by Darren Phillips, and as Harry Girling blocked the Boro full-back’s shot, Bruno Gomes could only divert the rebound wide.

Barking’s Kennedy Dariri became the first player booked when he kicked the ball away after conceding a free-kick after 24 minutes, and two minutes later his team might have scored a second as Martin Tuohy failed to make contact on a cross from the left when well placed.

Barking’s Henry Mbassa was perhaps lucky to receive only a yellow card after 29 minutes when having been dispossessed by Sam Deering, he cynically pulled Deering back on the edge of the penalty area with the Boro player through on goal. Deering then found Silcott-Brown in space on the right, but the Boro winger’s cross rather fell into no man’s land.

Scott Doe picked up a yellow card for kicking the ball away after 35 minutes and after 39 minutes Charlie Morris had a low cross hacked away after being set free by Bruno Gomes. The half – which featured a relatively modest five minutes of stoppage time – ended with a low shot by Barking’s Harvey Brown comfortably saved by Anderson, although the Boro keeper looked far less happy when shovelling away a shot from Kenedi Dariri moments later.

Boro changed their system as the second half got underway with Jamie Hursit and Jayden Silcott-Brown replaced by Seedorf Mendes and Lee Hursit, allowing Scott Doe to drop into the back four from the more advanced position he had assumed in the first half. It gave Boro some different attacking options, and more chances were created than had been in the first period.

In just the first minute of the second half Bruno Gomes won the ball in midfield and fired in a lofted shot that Girling saved at full stretch and a minute later Sam Deering headed against the bar from Charlie Morris’s cross. Deering had a shot pushed away by Girling after 52 minutes and then Gomes became the second Boro player booked for a relatively innocuous challenge. Deering then headed over from Junior Luke’s cross and this was immediately followed by a somewhat harsh booking for Lee Hursit.

Morris had a shot comfortably held by Girling after 58 minutes, but Boro finally levelled the scores after 62 minutes. Barking claimed that a throw was theirs, but referee Latham over-ruled his assistant to give it to Boro. Junior Luke’s quick throw found Morris in space and his low cross was tapped home by Gomes for his third goal of the season. Barking’s Bradleigh Rowland was sin binned for dissent shortly afterwards and his team mate Martin Tuohy was booked for a foul as referee Latham was kept busy.

Romford got their noses in front after 73 minutes when Morris put Deering through and his fierce left foot shot found the top corner of the net. But the lead was short lived as after 81 minutes Barking were level again when Daniel Okah headed in a ball lobbed in from the right, although Boro had opportunities to clear before the ball was crossed.

Four minutes of stoppage time had elapsed when Boro’s Sonny Shilling was booked for his part in a midfield altercation, with Barking goalkeeper Harry Girling joining him. Girling was perhaps lucky not to already have been yellow carded after he took it into his head to push Charlie Morris in the chest after the Boro player had been penalised for a foul.

Seven minutes into added time and Barking manager Lee Benson saw red for his complaints about the officials and their decisions, and a minute later his player Gabriel Oloko was sent off for kicking Darren Phillips. There was still time for Barking’s Wahad Nhanja to be booked in what was by now the 99th minute and Charlie Morris had a shot saved in the 103rd minute.

Proceedings drew to a close with one minute shy of 60 played in the second period and Romford back on top of the pile, where they will remain at least until the trip to Tilbury on August Bank Holiday Monday, with none of the challengers playing before then.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Jamie Hursit (Seedorf Mendes, 46m), Junior Luke, Darren Phillips, Michael Turner, Scott Doe, Jayden Silcott-Brown (Lee Hursit, 46m), Sam Deering (Harrison Georgiou, 78m), Bruno Gomes (Sonny Shilling, 84m), Charlie Morris, Jordan Sarfo. Unused sub: Jacob Wiggins.