A LAST-minute winner from Tony Stokes gave Concord a desperately-needed first home win of the season on Saturday.

The Beachboys murdered the visiting Harrow side but the game looked destined for a stalemate until the former West Ham youth peeled off his marker to plant a firm downward header into the net from Harry Elmes’ pinpoint cross.

And it was as richly deserved as it was welcomed among the faithful at Thames Road, who had watched with increasing tension as their side wasted a glut of clear-cut chances.

The most profligate was debutant Sherwin Stanley, who toiled hard as part of a front three following his arrival from Aveley.

But there was a fine display from towering new centre back Ryan Tafazolli, who won everything in the air, and an eye-catching performance from Karl Beckford, who pulled the strings with a fine range of passing from central midfield.

It was nip and tuck for the first 20 minutes until Ashley Miller pulled the ball back for Stokes to draw an excellent one-handed save from Will Viner. And from then on the visiting keeper excelled under immense pressure.

Steve King headed just over, Stokes forced Viner into a smart low stop, and Harry Elmes drew a good save before the hosts had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Viner’s weak punch fell at the feet of Stanley but, with an exposed net lying in wait behind an out-of- position keeper, he lifted the ball towards goal but agonisingly just past the post.

King and Stanley went close with headers soon after the restart, before the latter wasted another great chance as he lifted the ball over the exposed keeper following a mistake by centre back Quincy Rowe.

And after Tafazolli had an effort hacked off the line by Lee Wooton, and Stokes a glancing header nodded over the bar by Gary Jones, it was starting to look like it might be one of those days.

Stokes had another low shot saved by the legs of Viner, and Harry Elmes an effort ruled out for offside, before the game entered a frenetic final 10 minutes.

The finale started with Stokes planting a free header wide from corner, before Concord were warned about a potential smash-and-grab as Rob Wolleaston created some space before lashing the ball high and wide.

And with three minutes to go, Harry Elmes unnerved the visitors’ defence before Stanley saw his rising shot pushed onto the bar and over by Viner.

But the pressure finally told at the death as Harry Elmes led a breakaway down the right and delivered for Stokes to head home and spark joyous celebrations among the home fans.

Concord joint manager Danny Cowley said: “It was the story of our season, we had lots of chances but did not take any of them. And you do start to think ‘here we go again’. But credit to our players, they dug deep.

“And because of the way our season has gone, it was good to score in the 90th minute because it stopped them coming back into it.

“But that is just a start because we need to start winning games now. Personally this has been the biggest challenge of my life — let alone football wise.

“But in a strange way I’m really enjoying trying to put this right, and I have great belief in these players. We are all in this together and we need to restore some pride now.”

Concord Rangers (4-3-3): Young 6; Miller 7, King 7, Tafazolli 7, Robinson 7; Beckford 8, J Elmes 7, Cowley 8; Stokes 8, H Elmes 7, Stanley 6 (Lee 90, 6).