On Tuesday evening the Kingfishers missed an opportunity to edge towards safety as Horley Town won 2-0 at the Mettal Stadium.

The play-off chasing visitors put in a strong performance and scored a goal in each half to frustrate Thatcham.

The Blues caused problems for the Clarets from a couple of early corners with Archie Denton and Charlie Knight seeing headers blocked.

But from a seemingly innocuous attack Horley were awarded a penalty, as Levi Heholt upended a forward and Arlie Desanges beat Maciej Wieczorek from the spot.

Curtis Angell almost replied immediately after he beat the outrushing keeper to a ball forward, but after regaining his balance and heading towards goal a covering defender was on hand to turn the shot behind for a corner.

On 35 minutes Thatcham were awarded a penalty as Dan Smith was barged over on the edge of the box but Callum Willmoth’s low shot was saved in the corner by visiting keeper Sam Saward.

The second half became quite frantic with a bit of needle, with both sides fighting for the points for different reasons.

Angell almost caught Saward off guard as his in-swinging cross was missed by all forwards and defenders, and needed tipping around the post.

Then Thatcham received a warning on the hour mark as Wieczorek made a near post save to deny Lewis Pearch, then following a scramble Liam Trevatt fired a shot against the post.

But ten minutes later Pearch did make it two, after Wieczorek pushed a shot away from goal, but the Horley wide man was on hand to pick up the loose ball and fire it home.

Angell came close again with a spectacular overhead kick which whistled wide of the near post. Then Luke Polding’s header from Kye Williams’ cross looped into the safety of the keeper’s arms.

In the closing stages Williams had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for off-side.

Cam Philbey’s side came off the pitch to learn that the bottom team Eversley & California suffered a damaging defeat, and Town now go to Alton on Saturday knowing one point will ensure they will finish above Guildford. Based on the work-rate and determination on show it doesn’t seem like that point will be far away.

15) Thatcham Pld 33, Pts 33 (GD -27)
16) Chipstead Pld 33, Pts 33 (GD -36)
17) Epsom & Ewell Pld 31, Pts 31 (GD -17)
18) Guildford Pld 37, Pts 30 (GD -36)
19) Camberley Pld 33, Pts 28 (GD -25)
20) Eversley Pld 34, Pts 26 (GD -45)

TEAM : Maciej Wieczorek, Fin Tombs, Callum Winchcombe, Callum Willmoth, Archie Denton, Levi Heholt, Kye Williams, Luke Polding, Charlie Knight, Dan Smith, Curtis Angell.
SUBS ON : Tyrese Georcelin, Ornildo Shehu.
SUBS UNUSED : Finley Meikle, Rowan Clark, Charlie Gmiterek
ATTENDANCE : 102