KURT Morlese’s stoppage-time goal proved scant consolation after Harrow’s defeat to Tonbridge on Saturday surely ended any lingering play-off hopes.
Morlese, given a starting role because of the departure of Dewayne Clark of Boreham Wood, has made a habit of scoring late goals recently – this was his third in five games.
However, the former Wealdstone man’s fifth of the season couldn’t disguise the fact the hosts were well beaten by an Angels’ side very much on the up.
Borough now languishes in 13 th place nine points off the play-off pace with nine games left.
Harrow boss Dave Howell made three other changes from the side beaten 1-0 at Boreham Wood.
Danny McGonigle replaced Kwasi Frempong, who failed a fitness test on an ankle, while James King and Dean Fenton were given starts in place of Peter Lyall and Lewis Cook.
Borough were on the back foot immediately as Andray Baptiste palmed away a Scott Kinch shot after three minutes.
The Grenadian international then denied Adam Burchall from close range, but it was his error which put Harrow behind on eight minutes.
Baptiste came for Kirk Watts’ left-wing cross but got nowhere near it allowing Angels skipper Scott Minshull to head into the net.
The hosts briefly rallied as Kenta Nakashima saw one shot blocked to safety, while King screamed a 30-yarder just wide with Angels’ keeper Lee Worgan struggling.
However, Long and Burchall forced excellent saves from Baptiste, before the former chipped the Borough custodian only for his shot to hit the underside of the bar and be headed behind.
The second goal Tonbridge deserved came on the stroke of half-time, albeit with a large stroke of luck attached.
Long’s glorious ball released Phil Starkey, who’s cross-cum-shot from the right edge struck Walters leaving Baptiste stranded.
Morlese escaped with a yellow card after a clash with Jon Heath soon after the break, before Tonbridge sealed the points with a Burchall tap-in at the far post following more great work down the right between Long and Starkey.
Morlese might have had a penalty after a clash with Worgan and was denied another chance by Liam Harwood’s goal-saving challenge, but got reward for his persistence in stoppage time when he raced clear to slide under the advancing keeper.
