Two late goals by substitute Jibran Ahmed settled the London Senior Cup second round tie in favour of Woodford Town when they hosted Erith and Belvedere.

Having beaten Essex Senior League mid table Hackney Wick in the previous round, the Deres, from the Southern Counties East Football League knew that promotion chasing Woodford would present them with a tougher challenge in difficult conditions on a damp midweek evening.

Their players even had problems with getting to the ground with traffic queues in the area causing a delay of nearly fifteen minutes to the kick off time.

Despite their preparation issues, the Deres had the first opportunity when Thomas Borders laid it off to Freddie Baker who slotted it just past the far post. Ladic Melconian then had a shot saved by Manny Agboola in the Woodford goal.

At the other end, Charlie Cottrell, back from injury, saved from Marko Protic before again being called into action when turning Pedro Carvalho’s deflected free kick around the post.

Freddie Cray had a free kick saved by Agboola before Myles John fired over at the other end after easing in from the right wing. Baker had the last effort of the first half with a cleanly struck shot that was well held by Agboola.

After making a double change at the start of the second half, the Deres worked it out well to Matthias Broome and his fierce drive just missed the angle of bar and post. Erith captain Rob Strachan then made a brilliant last ditch tackle to thwart former Chatham Town and Welling Town striker Ollie Sotoyinbo.

Melconian slid another effort just past the post before a long clearance by Baker had to be watched carefully by Agboola before he claimed it on the bounce. Broome then broke down the left and, although he slipped just as he shot, it still required an excellent save by Agboola to turn it around the far post.

Cray blasted a free kick over but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock with just two minutes remaining. Ahmed played a give and get with Dimi Christou before chopping back and firing into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. 

Then, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, David Gokou-Siakouri tricked his way to the bye-line before pulling it back to Ahmed and he tucked it home from close range.

That was harsh on the Deres and they didn’t deserve to go home with nothing to show for their endeavours, and to miss out on a home tie with AFC Wimbledon in the next round. However, the tournament is not their priority and they are still in good shape to make an assault on a play-off place.  

Woodford Town: Manny Agboola; Mitchell-Nelson, Kirwan-Meade, Michael Agboola (Owusu 75), John; Okunju (Toussaint 80); Carvalho (Ahmed 68), Jewers, Protic (Adeloni 68), Gokou-Siakouri; Sotoyinbo (Christou 60).

Unused subs: None.

Goalscorers: Ahmed (88), (90+4)

Yellow card: Kirwan-Meade (15 foul)

Erith and Belvedere: Cottrell; Morgan (Whitnell 46), B. French, Strachan, McClean; Cray, Warwick (Mead 46); Baker, Melconian, Broomes; Borders.

Subs not used: Alexander, Lawrence.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Morgan (43 foul), Whitnell (64 foul), Strachan (74 foul)

Referee: Rami Badaoui

Assistants: Rohan Lambert and Ali Doroudgar

Attendance: 78