A STOPPAGE time Ryan Charles winner secured a 3-2 victory for Concord Rangers against Bath City tonight, reports Theo Beevers.

It was the first-time fans had entered the Aspect Arena in almost nine months, with Essex entering tier two restrictions.

The result means the Beach Boys leap frog their opponents to put themselves 16th in the Vanarama National League South, and three points above the relegation zone.

An emphatic opening 16 minutes, that contained three goals, quickly quenched any thirst for action from the returning fans.

The first goal fell to the visitors as full-back Tom Smith capitalised on lazy defending from a corner and struck the ball past Concord debutant Adam Pryzbeck in the 10th minute.

But Star striker Alex Wall equalised for Concord just four minutes later.

An exquisite curled effort from outside the box found the top left corner, with a little help from Romans keeper Ryan Clarke.

Just as the fans had finished celebrating the first, Aran Pollock fired in a second with pure venom. A sweet right footed strike which almost ripped the back of the net.

The Beach Boys had delivered a cruel combination to their relegation rivals, stunning the Romans with a rampant and deadly couple of minutes.

Wall had a good chance to double Concord’s lead in the 20th minute, but Clarke got down low to save the attempt. Bath striker Lewis Simper also squandered an opportunity to score just seconds later, hitting the ball out of the stadium from a one-on-one situation.

The remainder of the half consisted of constant pressure from Danny Scopes’ men. An abundance of half chances fell to Concord consistently, but audacious attempts and miss communication ensured the Beach Boys did not grab a third.

Lamar Reynolds tested the keeper one last time in the first half, striking the ball low and forcing a quick save at the near post.

The start to the second half was much more sedated than the first. Instead of goals, fans were treated to 10 minutes of a chess like set up, with Bath eagerly trying to find a way past Concord’s defensive setup.

Eventually, they did. A penalty was awarded to Bath in the 58th minute and Tommy Conway slotted the ball down the middle a minute later. A much-needed equaliser for the Romans.

Following a further 10 minutes of relentless Bath pressure, the best chance came courtesy of Donovan Wilson who tested Pryzbek from outside the area, but the debutant was equal to it.

As stoppage time approached, Concord were screaming out for a hero, and debutant Ryan Charles answered.

A simple header from a corner sent the Aspect Arena into absolute ecstasy, a brilliant result to put some distance between the Beach Boys and the relegation zone.