Haringey Borough’s Anthony McDonald scored two late goals to secure a well deserved win over Romford on Monday night.
But there was much controversy about the first as the ball did not look to have fully crossed the line, although Haringey had dominated the game and could well have had more goals.
There was a fast start to the game and visiting keeper Steven Reynolds nearly gifted Borough a goal after a poor touch, but he managed to hook the ball away.
Then Haringey’s Ralston Gabriel missed an excellent chance with a header after a brilliant cross from Daniel Aristidou.
Jorge Dtassi-Sambu nearly slid in Gabriel but Reynolds was quick off his line, before Romford’s Samuel Muemba attempted a long shot that was blocked.
A brilliant chance came the way of Romford – beaten 7-1 on their last visit – when Ayodeji Olukoga’s backheel found Chris Taylor and his first-time shot from inside the box was saved at the near post by Valery Pajetat.
Haringey’s Christopher Benjamin then broke into the box, but Reynolds blocked his effort, and McDonald had an overhead kick cleared off the line from a corner, while Ruardidh Kay had a header cleared off the line from the next.
Aristidou sidefooted a glorious chance wide after McDonald’s cross was not cleared as Haringey continued to have the better of the first half, while McDonald fizzed a brilliant low ball just beyond the reach of Gabriel.
The home side were then denied by a brilliant double save from Reynolds, with Kay and McDonald having close-range efforts after a quick break as the first half ended goalless.
Haringey started brightly in the second half with Jamie-Lee O’Donoughue heading just wide after coming on for Benjamin.
Kay then had a shot blocked with Haringey building pressure, while Aristidou shot over and Gabriel attempted an overhead kick but mishit it wide.
It felt like a Haringey goal was coming, but Olukoga nearly punished Borough as Romford broke, but he sidefooted wide.
Romford were starting to look more of a threat on the counter as Kay sloppily gave the ball away and conceded a free kick, which was blazed well over to the amusement of the home crowd.
Gabriel raced clear on goal for a great chance but shot straight at Reynolds and he could have been made to rue that missed chance immediately after as Romford broke again and won another free kick, with Craig Jeakin’s effort hitting the wall.
Michael Ademiliyu came on for Aristidou and Gabriel slid in McDonald after a brilliant driving run, but again Reynolds saved.
Ben Clarke then came on for Olukoga and straight away skied an effort well over the bar from long range.
Haringey should have been ahead and were continuing to make chances with Dtassi-Sambu heading over from a corner.
Gabriel then raced clear again after making a brilliant run and looked certain to score as he rounded Reynolds, but somehow managed to shoot wide.
McDonald volleyed against the crossbar from a corner as it looked like being a frustrating night for Haringey.
But then a shot from McDonald was spilled by Reynolds five minutes from time and the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line, much to Romford’s dismay.
The hosts hit the woodwork again before McDonald made sure in stoppage time with a finish into the bottom right corner from Gabriel’s low cross.
Haringey: Pajetat, Olufemi (Luke), O’Donoghue, Dtassi-Sambu, Mitchell, Sheriff, Aristidou (Ademiliyu), Kay, Gabriel, Benjamin (O’Donoghue), McDonald. Unused subs: Coley, Byfield.
Romford: Reynolds, Burt-Allen, Muemba, Cossington, Atkinson, Giwa, Adebajo, Olukoga (Clarke), Taylor, Jeakin, Nzengo (Newland). Unused subs: Martin, Gooch.
Attendance: 161.
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