Goals: Dodd 47′; Rihoy 72′.

Josh Addison was Guernsey’s hero with two penalty saves to help the Green Lions to a first win in six In a clash that finished 10-a-side at Footes Lane – with three spotkicks missed overall.

Addison’s heroics came at vital times in the match, first to prevent visiting Molesey going ahead and then to preserve the Green Lions’ two-goal cushion.

His first came with minutes to go in the first half, sparking an action-packed few minutes to bring a drab first half to life. Angus Mackay has brought down Joe Nowko six yards out, and Addison dived left to push Ashley Lodge’s effort from 12 yards onto the post.

GFC countered, with Mackay bundled over at the other end for another spotkick almost immediately. From their own let-off, the Green Lions were presented with a glorious chance to go in at half-time in front against the run of play – but Marc McGrath smashed his effort against the post.

Guernsey had started brightly enough, with Moles keeper Liam Allen having to rush out to beat Paris Pereira to the ball within two minutes – Liam Mahon skied the loose ball.

Thomas Dodds’ bouncer from distance was gathered easily by Liam Allen, and Rihoy’s rising shot from a good position cleared the crossbar after good work by McGrath on the left.

But the visitors started to get on top, with Charlie Samuel cracking the foot of the post with a low effort from the edge of the area as well as firing narrowly wide after Jamie Dodd had kept him onside.

Guernsey’s best chance of the half, other than the penalty, also fell to McGrath as he reacted first when Allen parried a shot from Paris Pereira. It only required guiding into the net but he went for power and skewed high and wide.

Marcel Henry-Francis buried a powerful low effort on 37 minutes but was flagged offside, while Addison was required to parry a powerful shot from Samuel a few minutes later.

James King and Craig Lewington also missed the target from free-kicks.

Despite blowing a great chance to go in front at half-time, the Sarnians had been second best in the first 45. But they repeated a regular trick this season of scoring within moments of the restart – and it came from an unlikely source.

Dave Rihoy held onto the ball and picked the perfect moment to slide in captain Dodd, who tucked in a neat finish under Allen from an acute angle.

That sparked an improvement in the hosts’ performance, with Dodd almost returning the favour from Rihoy, but the number seven’s low shot from outside the box went a foot wide.

Substitute Ryan-Zico Black, returning from a two-month spell out injured, put a great ball through for McGrath, but the forward couldn’t get enough power in his left-foot shot and Allen saved. Paris Pereira then saw a low shot deflected wide.

Tony Vance’s men were gifted their second goal on 72 minutes. Allen came rushing out of his goal to beat Pereira to the ball, but lacked concentration when clearing and, instead of finding a team-mate, gave it straight to Rihoy 25 yards out. Rihoy kept his cool to roll the ball into an empty net.

Addison’s second penalty save came just three minutes later when Mackay brought down Samuel in the box, for which he was given a second booking and therefore a red. Having to see out the final quarter-hour with a slender lead and 10 men would have made for a very nervy finish, but Addison repeated his heroics – diving left to palm away substitute Ross Chalke’s effort.

James King was given his marching orders with five minutes left as he hauled down substitute Robbie Legg, who was through on goal – and that ended any serious threat from the Moles with the game now 10 against 10.

In fact, it was Guernsey who should have scored again. Tom De La Mare blazed over from a good position and Robbie Legg fired wide after being found by Black. Both chances came in stoppage time. Addison’s only other test came as he helped a looping volley from Chalke as Molesey recycled possession from a corner.

It was a vital three points for the Green Lions in their relegation battle and ended a run of five matches without a win. We moved up one place to 20th in the Ryman South table, with the other results as follows: Carshalton Athletic 0-3 Hythe Town, Chatham Town 1-4 Walton Casuals, Corinthian-Casuals 2-0 Greenwich Borough, Cray Wanderers 2-4 East Grinstead Town, Herne Bay 0-1 Horsham, Lewes 3-0 Godalming Town, Sittingbourne 0-1 Chipstead, Tooting & Mitcham United 0-4 Hastings United, Whyteleafe 2-2 Dorking Wanderers.

Molesey: Liam Allen, Sam Charles, James King, Craig Lewington (c), Dre Grobler, Ryan David, Tom Windsor, Charlie Samuel, Marcel Henry-Francis (Ross Chalke 70’), Joe Nwoko, Ashley Lodge. Not used: Matt David, Ashley Charles.

Booked: Charles. Sent off: King.