Tonbridge suffered a first home defeat in six games as Bath came from a goal down to win at Longmead.

Louis Collins gave Jay Saunders’ side a half-time lead but two goals in eight minutes midway through the second half saw City take the points.

Dan Hayfield and Alex Fletcher were the Bath scorers as Tonbridge dropped a couple of places to 10th in National South.

Jonny Henly had shown his worth to the team after missing last week’s defeat at Taunton through illness, making several fine first-half saves from around the edge of the area.

The pick of them looked a goal all the way before Henly somehow turned the ball over and the one to deny Luke Spookes from the resulting corner wasn’t far behind it.

Ben Swift also made a welcome return to the team, going to ground in the opening minutes to make an excellent block as Spookes went ii on goal, and heading away everything that came near him.

Tonbridge, with Jeremy Santos looking bright in midfield before hobbling off, and Scott Wagstaff pulling the strings, grew into the game after a decent start from the visitors.

They looked to get their wide players into it, Ruben Soares down the left and TQ Addy on the right, and were also patient in possession when required, not afraid to go back to Henly and build again when short on options.

Addy’s pace caused problems and he tested Bath keeper Ryan Clarke from 20 yards a couple of times before Tonbridge took the lead in the 38th minute.

The build-up was good as Sonny Miles played the ball into Addy, and he fed Tariq Hinds before Santos’ strike from the edge of the box was parried by Clarke, with Collins burying the rebound.

Tonbridge were nearly in a couple of times at the start of the second half, while Soares tested Clarke before Bath levelled in the 63rd minute.

The goal came slightly against the run of play but there was an arguing with the quality of Hayfield’s strike from outside the area after picking up possession.

Bath went in front eight minutes later, this one not so easy on the eye, with Tonbridge conceding a messy goal from a corner.

Angels couldn’t clear and with the ball bouncing about in the six-yard box, Fletcher made it 2-1.

Tonbridge pushed for a leveller, Hinds injury-time ball to the far post crying out for a finish.

Tonbridge: Henley, Hinds, Braham-Barrett, Miles, Swift, Gard, Collins, Soares (Gavin 84mins), Addy, Addy (Golding 67mins), Wagstaff, Santos (Wood 45mins). Subs not used: Tyrie, Fielding.

Referee: Michael Robertson-Tant.

Attendance: 988.