Hendon's third visit to the Longmead Stadium, Tonbridge, ended much like the other two - a defeat and much soul-searching. On Tuesday night it was 4-0 and the Greens were given a lesson in finishing. For all the goals Hendon have scored this season, it may well be the chances that have been missed that will prove the difference between making the playoffs and missing out.

Following the heart-stopping victory at Hastings, Hendon made two changes to the their starting line-up. Brian Haule and Danny Dyer moved up from the subs' bench to take the positions of Belal Aiteouakrim and Casey Maclaren, who themselves were named as substitutes.

An early long-range strike from Jamie Busby brought Matt Reed to his knees, but it was not a difficult save for the goalkeeper who collected the Ryman League's safe hands award for March before the kick-off. At the other end, Luke Blackmore held a drive from Anthony Storey.

In the 18th minute, Hendon fell behind to a well worked corner move. The ball was played into the near post, where and Angel flicked it. Carl Rook, who has taken on the goal-scoring mantle of the departed Jon Main, timed his run perfectly and he guided a header past Blackmore.

It was the sort of the goal the scoring team consider to be excellent coaching and planning and the conceding one feel was soft and poorly defended. Either way, Tonbridge led 1-0, but they suffered a blow almost immediately when Tommy Tyne limped off, to be replaced by Scott Kinch.

Tonbridge, who went into the game having won eight out of their last nine matches to climb from the relegation zone to the playoff places, now started pressing and the Hendon defence was asked some serious questions.

The difference between the two teams clinical finishing ability was highlighted by two incidents either side of half-time. First, in the 38th minute, a corner from the Angels' right side was curled in and Akwasi Edusei placed a free header powerfully past Blackmore.

At the other end, Lee O'Leary lost his marker, at a corner, but he could not direct his free header on target. With better placement, it could easily have been 2-1 instead of Tonbridge enjoying a two-goal half-time lead.

Then, 90 seconds after the restart, Brian Haule had clear run on goal. He had only Reed to beat, but the goalkeeper was equal to the challenge, saving the ball with his legs. Tonbridge broke to the other end and Eduesi finished off a quick counter-attack with a good finish.

That was effectively the end of the match. Hendon had to score quickly to put pressure on Tonbridge who will no doubt still have memories of the two-goal lead with 30 seconds of normal time remaining they threw away at Claremont Road in August.

In the 52nd minute, Brian Haule and Kinch clashed going for the ball. There was nothing to it and the pair chased the ball as it bounced up towards the touchline. As Haule was about to head the ball, Kinch looked to see where the referee was and then launched an attack on the ball with his elbow making contact with the Hendon striker's head.

Brian Haule stayed down for a good 90 seconds, while the referee decided that a caution would suffice for Kinch. Haule was able to continue, but he went off after 72 minutes feeling unwell. Aiteouakrim replaced him.

Davis Haule went close with one effort and a free-kick from Ben Hudell shaved the outside of the right upright with Reed merely a spectator.

Then, with three minutes of normal time remaining. Edusei completed his hat-trick after Blackmore had parried a powerful drive from Rook.

"We were given a lesson in finishing tonight," said manager Gary McCann. "We should have scored immediately after they went 2-0 up and again right at the start of the second half. Instead of it being 2-2, they went up to the other end and made it 3-0."

(Report by David Ballheimer - not to be reproduced without permission from the author)