Romford 2, Witham Town 3

Despite scoring twice in a league game for the first time since last October at Hullbridge Sports, despite leading with fewer than ten minutes of normal time to play, and despite being on level terms five minutes into stoppage time, Romford still contrived to lose this game as Witham scored a late, late winner to keep alive their hopes of staying in the Isthmian League for another season.

This result condemned Barking to the drop, even though they won at Tilbury, while Witham face a play-off against the runners-up from one of the Step 5 leagues, probably - but by no means certainly – Wroxham.

For long periods of what was a thoroughly entertaining game, Romford were the better side, created more chances than in any recent match and really ought to have been out of sight before the visitors levelled the scores. But, as the second half progressed and Witham put the Romford defence under pressure with a series of long throws, the visitors exploited Boro’s lack of experience in holding on to a lead.

On a positive note, there were decent performances throughout the Boro side. Rob Budd was his ever dependable self between the posts; Tamberson Eyong defended solidly, using all his considerable experience; Temitore Babalola looked a quality player in midfield; upfront L’heureux Menga leveraged all his experience while plundering a brace of goals, and Justin Bailey had his best game in a Romford shirt.

Witham had an early and vociferous claim for a penalty declined by the referee before Boro created the game’s first real chance after 6 minutes. Budd’s long kick was headed on by Menga and Bailey found Tami Ogunnowo, whose shot was blocked by Madden in the Witham goal. Menga was denied by Madden shortly afterwards, but after 23 minutes Boro were ahead. A quickly taken free kick found Babalola and his cross was helped on by Bailey for Menga to convert.

Budd was forced to make two saves in quick succession as Witham sought an immediate equaliser, and then just after the half hour Boro created a good chance for Ogunnowo, who forced Madden into a diving save.

Boro seemed to have weathered the storm, but with sickening inevitability, the visitors levelled after 37 minutes. Josh Osude’s low cross from the right was only partially cleared and Adam Cheniti forced the ball home from close range.

Romford regained the lead just after the hour mark with a penalty. Babalola and Ogunnowo combined well to put Bailey through, and he was brought down just inside the penalty area. Menga stepped up and calmly placed the penalty kick wide of Madden.

With Barking taking the lead at Tilbury at almost the same time as Menga was scoring for Boro, Witham were relegated as things stood, but they started to force the issue and began to look capable of getting something as Budd was forced to save well from Ramiah Mills, whose long throws were causing consternation in the Romford defence. From one such throw, Simon Glover headed against his own post, and after 82 minutes another was not cleared and Osude scored from close range.

Not that Boro weren’t without chances of their own. A good run by Babalola ended with Madden saving but only succeeding in clearing to Sam Dickens, whose lofted effort just cleared the bar. A good free kick by Eyong found Menga in a dangerous position and he was only foiled by a desperate challenge.

Yet another long throw by Mills was desperately cleared by Boro with six minutes remaining, and then two minutes from the end a scramble in the Boro box ended with a Witham shot clearing the bar. At this point the game looked to be heading for a draw, but there was to be one final twist.

Five minutes into stoppage time, Menga conceded a free kick by the corner flag. Madden pumped it forward and Osude scored to prompt absolute pandemonium among the Witham contingent as they earned a reprieve, temporarily only as it may be, from relegation. Meanwhile, the Romford players slumped in despair; Rob Budd summed it up in a tweet: “In a game that technically meant nothing to us other than pride, it feels like we were relegated today.”

Romford: Rob Budd, Sam Dickens, Austin Nkwonta, Simon Glover, Tamberson Eyong, Bleron Ademi, Justin Bailey (Callum Ferris, 90m), Camilo Restrepo (Ramzi Mahmoudi, 67m), L’heureux Menga, Temitore Babalola, Tami Ogunnowo. Unused sub: Leo Mabb

Picture: Justin Bailey (7) helps the ball on for L’heureux Menga (9) to score Boro’s first goal (Alan Blackholly)