Craig Tanner praised his Tooting & Mitcham United players after they came within inches of sending him off with the London Senior Cup.

The Terrors were leading Hendon of the Ryman Premier Division 1-0 when Nathan Gordon, who had bagged the opener with a deflected free-kick, rattled the woodwork late in the second half.

And despite going down to 10 men, Hendon fought back with an 86th minute equaliser and eventually won 3-2 in extra-time.

Tanner and his assistant Adam Moriarty are now looking for new employment after being told two weeks ago they would be dismissed at the end of the season – but Tanner was delighted with his side’s final showing.

“We knew we were capable of such a performance, we’ve done it before against Bishop’s Stortford and East Thurrock United,” he said.

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“We thought Hendon would be slightly different in that they would keep the ball more, but as long as we could frustrate them by just sitting in, we might get one or two chances.

“We got lucky with the deflected free-kick, then we had a massive chance in the second half when Nathan’s gone on a great run and hit the inside of the post.

“We were two inches away from being 2-0 up and then it would have been game over.”

He added: “But as good teams do, Hendon kept on battling, working hard and moving the ball – they got their one chance and they put it away.

“Fair play to my boys though, they gave it everything and I am really proud of them.

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"Now it is just a case for them of looking ahead to next season, and for me looking elsewhere.”

Dan Summers, who went into the final with 36 goals in all competitions this season, could not add to his tally last night, partly due to picking up an injury in the opening minutes.

Tanner said: “Dan got a dead leg 10 minutes in, and there were a couple of chances when he got in, and but for a little more composure in attack, he would have scored.

“But he’s been brilliant for us this season – whoever gets their hands on him next season is going to have a massive player, who is capable of playing at a higher level, on their hands.”

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