With Stannard joining Gauntlett on the injured list, the Dons were forced to field four reserves as Romford ended their unbeaten record at Plough Lane. The icy conditions in SW19 made good football impossible but Romford took an early lead and then failed to extend it when they missed a penalty. Two goals inside a minute, one from Bull and the other a wonderful 25-yard left foot drive from Second XI centre forward Charlie Smith, meant the hosts led at the interval but the visitors had several chances to equalise before Bridge finally did so with 25 minutes to go. In a frantic finale the east Londoners took both points when Quinlan’s shot went in off the bar.