Wingate & Finchley missed the chance to go second in the Ryman League Premier Division on Saturday after conceding an 88th-minute equaliser away at East Thurrock.

Karl Oliyide put the Blues ahead in the 34th minute and home goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius made a remarkable double save from Alfie Bartram and Lee Barney in the second half.

But Thurrock stayed in the game and Tom Wraight eventually levelled in the final moments with a free header, stopping Simon Lane’s visitors from leaping three places up the table into the top two.

Wingate right-back Mark Goodman said: “It’s very frustrating. We’ve got a goal, and a well-deserved one as well. They were difficult conditions – the pitch was bobbly, it was a little bit windy. But to be 1-0 up and hold that, and then in the 88th minute to concede a goal and draw 1-1, it’s something we’re disappointed with.

“But at a later point it might be something that we look upon as a good point. It’s a tough game. I’ve come to East Thurrock before and it’s a tough ground, a tough place to play and pick up points. They’re normally quite a solid team. Especially towards the latter end of the season we might reflect on this and see it as a good point.”

Wingate went on to beat Grays Athletic 5-4 in the Ryman League Cup on Tuesday night with two goals apiece from Goodman and Billy Healey and one from Lee Barney.

Meanwhile, Hendon suffered a seventh straight defeat in all competitions on Saturday, losing 3-1 away against Tonbridge Angels as they took a step closer to the relegation zone.

Kezie Ibe netted his first goal of the season but that was not enough to save the Dons.

Gary McCann’s were victorious on Tuesday night, though, overcoming Cray Valley Paper Mills 4-1 in the London Senior Cup at Silver Jubilee Park with goals from Sam Murphy, Oliver Sprague, Aaron Morgan and Leon Smith.