Matt Lovett lived up to his reputation as one of the league's top goalkeepers by producing several top class saves as Hampton claimed a fine away win.

On at least a dozen occasions, the Hampton custodian, kept the home side at bay. Admittedly some of the save appeared routine, but this was due to his good positioning. Other stops were simply top class.

This was far from a one man show, with the whole team working tirelessly to thwart Thurrock’s fine attacking play.

Alan Devon shire gave the same starting 11, that took the field at Weymouth, the chance to redeem themselves, following Saturday’s disappointing show.

He did, however, make one positional change. Dean Inman returned to partner Wells in the heart of the defence, with Orlando Jeffery moving to right back.

The game was a very open affair with both sides creating a number of openings in the first period. Thurrock pinned their visitors back for long periods, winning a number of corners.

The Beavers kept their goal in tact with a mixture of brave defending and some slices of fortune, as well as the heroics from their number 1.

Bodkin and Orilonishe were giving the home side plenty of width and supplied a number of dangerous crosses.

Hampton also had a number of corners as the game flowed from end to end. In the 14th minute, Ian Hodges forced a corner, which Jeffery rose to meet. His effort was well saved by Woolley.

Just as Bodkin was proving a threat to the Beaver’s back line, Tarpey was being a menace to the home defence, and several occasions they were forced to halt his progress by foul means.

Despite all the open play we reached the interval goalless, but we did not have to wait long after the re-start for the opener.

Dave Tarpey sped down the right wing, before cutting inside onto his left. He then hit his shot from the edge of the area. The shot took a deflection that left Woolley stranded and the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

This was the queue for Thurrock to exert even more pressure on Matt Lovett’s goal.

Three minutes after going behind, Bodkin raced clear down the right.

He cut into the area and hit a goal bound shot, to force Lovett into making a fine stop. Moments later, left back O’Toole took aim from fully 30 yards, but again the Hampton stopper was up to the task.

Bodkin beat Matthews and sent over a hard, low cross. Lovett was down smartly to palm the ball away to safety.

It was not all one way traffic, with Beadle and Tarpey using their pace to good effect. Ian Hodges battled away, as usual, up front and was unlucky with a couple of efforts.

Good interplay between Yaku and Hodges sent O.J. away on the right, only for him to see the offside flag. Is this a first for our stalwart defender!

Midway through the half that man Bodkin resumed his personal dual with Lovett, with the Hampton man coming out on top.

Matt’s most spectacular save came in the 79th minute, when he got his finger tips to a long range drive, to send the ball onto the bar and away for a corner. With just under 10 minutes to go, Dev sent on Yarnie to replace Tarpey.

There was still time for one more slice of heroics from Lovett as he made a fine stop with his legs to deny substitute Stalley, before Yarnie strolled into the area, unopposed, to coolly slide the ball home from 10 yards and seal the points.

Just before the final whistle, Beadle slid the ball through to Hodges, who stabbed the ball narrowly wide.

This was a great improvement on Saturday’s performance, with everyone giving their all against a very useful Thurrock side. The evening left one question though.

Is Leon Yarnie our most prolific striker this season, based on goals per minute? He has played about 15 minutes and scored twice!!

Team: Matt Lovett, Louis-Rae Beadle, Barrie Matthews, Orlando Jeffery, Dean Inman, Dean Wells ©, Stuart Lake, Craig Dundas, Ian Hodges, Lawrence Yaku (Ashley Quashie 75 mins), Dave Tarpey (Leon Yarnie 79mins)

Subs not used:, Karl Beckford, Joey Collewijn.