Brentwood Town kept their play-off push firmly on track with a thrilling victory over Carshalton Athletic in South London.
A brace from Kymani Thomas, alongside strikes from Danny Ogunleye and an early own goal, secured a vital three points for the Blues.
It was the hosts who struck first after 15 minutes. Luke Read was picked out just inside the area by Nathan Young-Coombes and calmly slotted his effort into the far corner.
However, Brentwood responded almost immediately. Sustained pressure down the left flank paid off when Ogunleye’s low cross was turned into his own net by Fikayo Atewologun.
After a lively opening, chances became limited for both sides. Carshalton came closest before the break, as Young-Coombes burst down the right and teed up Eddie Allsopp, who could only poke his effort agonisingly wide.
The Blues then took control nine minutes into the second half. Bradley Sach showed great strength to hold off his marker before slipping the ball through to Thomas, who broke beyond the backline and fired a superb effort from a tight angle into the top corner – another stunner to add to his collection already this season.
Brentwood looked to build on their lead soon after. Matt Cripps reacted quickest to a loose ball and fed substitute Alejandro Machado, whose strike was well saved by goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk.
Louie Johnson was next to test the Robins’ stopper, driving a powerful effort from the edge of the area that was again kept out by an good diving save.
Those missed chances proved costly as Carshalton drew level with 25 minutes remaining. A cross from Tolu Ladapo was unfortunately turned into his own net by Ethan Kaiser.
The equaliser lifted the hosts, who nearly went ahead moments later. Young-Coombes delivered a looping cross that Ladapo flicked on, but Read could only head into the side netting – a let-off for Brentwood.
But the Blues responded in style. With just over 10 minutes to play, Johnson found Thomas on the left, and the winger drove at Denzel Akyeampong before cutting inside and curling a precise finish into the far corner.
Carshalton continued to push, and a late scare saw Aiden Prall slip while backtracking, allowing Fabio Saraiva an opportunity from distance. However, the Brentwood keeper recovered well to gather under pressure from Kola Salami.
Deep into stoppage time, Ogunleye sealed the victory in emphatic fashion, rifling a powerful strike into the roof of the net to put the result beyond doubt.
The win keeps Brentwood three points clear of Dartford in the race for the play-offs, sitting fourth just ahead of Chatham Town. With two games remaining, Keith Rowland’s side know that maximum points will be crucial in securing a top-five finish.
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC: Graczyk (GK), Akyeampong, Young, Atewologun, Masampu (Ernest 46′), Saraiva (C) (George 90+5), Read (Howard 81′), Huke (Salami 75′), Allsopp (Bradford 64′), Ladapo, Young-Coombes
Subs not used: N/A
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Freeman, Cole, Edwards (Machado 46′), Johnson, Ogunleye, Thomas (Vaivada 86′), Sach
Subs not used: Hudson, Kashket, Hughes
Written by Michaela Georgopolous
