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Guernsey Raiders led for more than 80 minutes of their clash with Tonbrigde Juddians, but then their try line was breached.
The resulting nerveless conversation was enough to give the home side a one point victory and leave Raiders to stew on what might have been having largely dominated the match.
TJs remain unbeaten at the top of the league, and while Raiders lost their 100% record they secured two bonus points to stay second.
They face third-placed Barnes at Footes Lane this Saturday knowing they can at least match and even out-play the best in National 2 East.
Guernsey were ahead within a minute against TJs, Ciaran Mcgann slotting a penalty.
They then put two converted tries on the board through Dom Rice and Anthony Armstrong to stretch the lead to 17-0 with 15 minutes on the clock.
TJ’s got a foothold in the game when Duncan Tout went over and Thomas White added the two points.
Nial Mcgann, on for Jack Colbourne, stretched Raider’s lead by another five, but TJ’s responded quickly through Truman Sullivan and a conversion.
It was Nial Mcgann who secured another try for Guernsey putting them 27-14 up with 10 minutes of the half to go.
The homeside fought back again, with a Connor Lloyd try being converted and White slotting a penalty to leave the sides separated by just three points at half time.
Just as they had started the first, Guernsey began the second with a Ciaran Mcgann penalty and on 54 minutes his brother Nial was crossing the try line again, this time the conversion was added.
Raiders were then under pressure.
They lost Lewis Hillier to the sin bin and TJ’s set up a dramatic finish when Curtis Barnes scored a try and White again slotted home the conversion.
80 minutes were up on the clock when TJ’s found space out wide and sent Duncan Tout in at the corner.
It was left to White to step up and in hushed silence kick the conversion from the right hand touchline to leave Tonbridge on top 38-37.
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