Tonbridge conceded a late winner at home to National League South title contenders Worthing.

Liam Nash, the former Gillingham striker making his debut, scored the Rebels’ 83rd-minute winner, although the hosts were convinced there’d been at least one foul in the build-up.

The goal denied Angels a point after Jack Wood’s lovely strike - his first goal since rejoining on loan from Southend - cancelled out Tommy Willard’s opener.

Tonbridge handed a debut to Christie Ward in midfield, one of two loan signings from League 1 promotion hopefuls Wycombe.

The other, striker, Brody Peart, was named on the bench, coming on shortly after the hour mark.

Angels were grateful for several first-half saves from Matt Rowley to keep the game goalless at the break as Worthing, as is their way, bossed possession.

Rowley was sharply off his line to take the ball off Mo Faal’s toe early on as the Rebels man raced in on goal from Joel Cobran’s ball down the line.

He stuck out a leg to deny Danny Cashman after the Rebels dangerman danced past three or four defenders and, from the corner, made a smart tip-over from Jack Spong’s strike.

Arguably his best save came from point-blank range after a slip from Crossley Lema allowed Rueben Carvalho to get away down the left and lay the ball on a plate for Faal.

Faal, having seen a couple of early openings snuffed out by Jamie Fielding early on, also volleyed over when well-placed following a swift counter-attack.

Tonbridge lost skipper Scott Wagstaff to injury midway through the first half.

His replacement, Trevan Robinson, looked lively, giving the Worthing defence something to think about with his running and work rate.

A second change soon followed with Bailey Akehurst on for Lema, also due to an injury.

Robinson had the hosts’ first effort of the match, cutting inside from the left and working Chris Haigh from the edge of the box.

There were also a couple of penalty shouts towards the end of the first half, following some hands-on defending from the Rebels, but referee Tolu Sangowawa waved away appeals.

Rowley’s fine afternoon continued after the break when he got a strong hand to Nash’s strike.

Peart made an early impression for Tonbridge after replacing Liam Vincent, going on two strong runs down the right and producing a lovely cross.

But it was a Worthing substitute who broke the deadlock, just after coming on, with Willard’s superb strike finding the top corner in the 69th minute.

Tonbridge levelled three minutes later with an equally good goal.

Wood picked up the ball on the edge of the area and bent a superb effort beyond the dive of Haigh for 1-1.

Worthing went back in front seven minutes from time although Tonbridge felt there were two fouls in the build-up before Nash’s well-taken finish into the corner.

Tonbridge: Rowley, Lema (Akehurst 34mins), Nelson, Maloney, Wood, Fielding, Ward, Vincent (Peart 60mins), Wagstaff (Robinson 25mins), Ottaway (Botti 75mins), Sutcliffe. Subs not used: Berry.

Worthing: Haigh, Colbran, Cook, Partington, Spong (Martin-Sorondo 77mins), Faal (Willard 68mins), Cashman, Rea, Packman, Carvalho, Nash (Babalola (87mins). Subs not used: Wheeler, Smith.

Referee: Tolu Sangowawa.

Attendance: 1,106.