Romford’s poor league form continued with visitors Buckhurst Hill providing an object lesson in how to take your chances, while their resolute defence and a catalogue of missed chances kept Boro at bay and goal-less.

The visitors made a lightning start. In the very first minute Oliver Williams ran on to a right-wing pass and delivered a cross to the far post where Sonny Shilling (who made one appearance for Boro back in 2017) planted the ball back across Jake Anderson’s goal and into the top corner.

Only a good challenge by Tambeson Eyong denied Ezekiel Bademosi a goalscoring opportunity after five minutes before a strong run by Camilo Restrepo fashioned Boro’s first chance, but his shot was deflected wide by Daniel Blockley in the Buckhurst Hill goal.

Sonny Shilling plundered his second of the afternoon after 23 minutes, flicking in a cross from the right by Bradleigh Rowland, but two minutes later, Boro really ought to have halved the deficit. Lewis Smith’s run on the left set up a chance for George Cox, but he somehow managed to poke the ball wide of an unguarded net from close range.

Bademosi shot narrowly off-target for Buckhurst Hill having creating a chance for himself after a good run, while Boro’s Emmanuel Ogunrinde was only denied by a last-gasp challenge as the half wound to a conclusion.

Romford began the second half with a shot by Kris Newby – who had latched onto a loose ball – that was save by Blockley at the expense of a corner, and then the Buckhurst Hill keeper saved well from Tambeson Eyong’s shot from the edge of the box. While Boro were creating and missing chances, Buckhurst Hill were making the most of theirs and they wrapped up the points with two goals in a minute.

After 54 minutes George Cox conceded possession cheaply in midfield and Hassan Nalbant shook off Eyong and strode through to fire past Anderson. Sixty second later the same player was on the scoresheet again, finishing off a good move with a shot into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Jake Gordon hit a post after 67 minutes and shot over after 76, while Camilo Restrepo and Warren Beattie were denied by close range saves from Blockley in the closing stages, but anything Boro got at that stage would have been nothing more than a consolation.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Warren Beattie, Danny Hurford, Jack Glenister (Jake Gordon, 46m), Tambeson Eyong, Bleron Ademi (Emmanuel Robe, 59), Emmanuel Ogunrinde, Kris Newby, Lewis Smith, George Cox, Camilo Restrepo. Unused sub: Jamie Hursit.