Second-half goals from Zain Westbrooke and James Daly put the visitors in control before Charlie Pegrum’s late strike gave the Urchins hope of salvaging a point.

Daryl McMahon made three changes following Saturday’s defeat at Hartlepool, bringing Josh Walker, Miles Bracking and Ryan Loft into the starting line-up.

But Hornchurch’s plans were disrupted after just six minutes when Ryan Inniss was forced off injured and replaced by Tom Dallison.

Yeovil began to apply pressure, with Charlie Lennon twice delivering dangerous balls into the area, before Hornchurch suffered another injury blow as Jack Baldwin made way for Henry Sandat after 22 minutes.

The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock after 36 minutes when Brett McGavin’s effort from outside the box forced Arthur Nasta into an excellent save, tipping the ball over the bar.

Hornchurch threatened shortly before the interval as Loft drove an effort towards goal, only for goalkeeper Josiah Alexander Barker to save with his leg.

McMahon introduced Angelo Balanta and Myles Weston at half-time, but Yeovil eventually made their pressure count after 71 minutes when Westbrooke fired past Nasta for his first goal for the club.

Things got worse for the Urchins seven minutes later when Daly struck from a tight angle.

Hornchurch appealed for offside, but the goal stood to give Yeovil a 2-0 advantage.

Pegrum almost provided an immediate response with a header, but Barker produced a superb save to tip his effort on to the post.

Yeovil continued to threaten, with Daly denied by Nasta before Hayden Muller headed narrowly wide.

But Hornchurch refused to give up and were rewarded in the 89th minute when Weston’s cross found Pegrum, who kept his composure to slot past Barker and halve the deficit.

The goal set up a tense finish, but Yeovil stood firm to secure all three points and leave Hornchurch empty-handed.

McMahon’s side now turn their attention to Friday night’s Enterprise National League trip to AFC Fylde.