Hampton & Richmond Borough fell to a 3-2 defeat in the Enterprise National League South against Dorking Wanderers at Meadowbank Stadium, despite goals from Luis Fernandez and Hayden Barrett.
The Beavers led twice, but a first-half goal from Dorking's Harry Pinchard and a late brace from Alfie Rutherford quashed a spirited performance from Craig Saunders and Max Kretzschmar's men.
The Beavers opened the scoring in the 19th minute after a cross from Reading loanee John Ryan. Will De Havilland knocked it down to his centre-back partner Fernandez, who volley cannoned into the floor and up into the top-left corner. Fernandez wheeled away in celebration of his third league goal of the campaign.
Dorking, though, continued to dominate the chances in the first half, finding joy with searching long passes out wide to create chances, which they failed to convert.
Wanderers did, however, find the equaliser in the 27th minute. Pinchard embarked on a solo run down the left flank, and he found a pocket of space to squeeze past Jamie Searle at the near post.
Hampton & Richmond and Dorking traded chances for the remainder of the first half. Bright Siaw found himself in a one-on-one situation against Morris, but his shot was at a good height for the keeper to save with his trailing leg.
Dorking's forward Josh Barrett, who has made 12 EFL Championship appearances, failed to profit from an almost certain goal-scoring opportunity, taking too many touches in the penalty box, and Searle recovered.
The away side started the second half with renewed enthusiasm, but the opening 10 minutes were a scrappy affair, featuring few chances for either team. Luca Barrington, who shone in the midfield, hit the crossbar from an excellent right-footed curled strike, which would have been a marvellous finish for the 21-year-old.
In the 70th minute, Hampton & Richmond retook the lead from a corner. A deep cross found De Havilland at the back post, and after pinball in the area, the ball fell to substitute Hayden Barrett, who struck into the bottom-right corner via Morris' glove and the post, notching his second goal of the season.
Dorking head coach Marc White made a couple of changes, including introducing former Beaver Theo Widdrington into the fray. From this point onwards, Dorking ramped up their attack and began to probe the Beavers' defence.
Then, in the 84th minute, Dorking's pressure proved too much. Long-term servant Alfie Rutherford fired home a loose ball following a corner, thumping his strike into the roof of the net.
Other than a late chance for the substitute Tobi Sho-Silva, in which he couldn't quite find a shot when the ball was at his feet, Dorking continued to pile the pressure on the deep-lying Hampton & Richmond defence.
In last-gasp fashion, in the 88th minute, Rutherford slammed home a cross from Jack Wood down to Searle's side for his second of the match and the winner for Dorking. He has now scored seven league goals this season.
The Beavers look to regain form in their next match at home to Maidenhead on Saturday, November 7th. Tickets are available HERE.
UTB
Written by Josh Midwood