Bill Robinson reports from Ship Lane.
Another disappointing display from Thurrock, which saw them suffer their third consecutive defeat, and now they are beginning to look like a side without confidence.
Staines had looked the stronger side from the start but neither side deserved to have any advantage at the break, but in a mad two minutes just before half time Thurrock conceded two goals, poor defending was the cause and these goals proved to be the winning goals from a very determined Staines side coming here after success last week in the FA Cup.
The first goal came when Thurrock lost possession in their own half and a low cross was allowed to come in from the left, Ali Chaaban found plenty of space in the penalty area to strike a shot passed the stranded Joe Woolley.
Within seconds Staines were back on the attack and this time they were awarded with a penalty, the Thurrock defence had fallen asleep which allowed Staines into the danger zone and it was Ali Chaaban who strode up to take the penalty and sent Woolley the wrong way to make it two nil.
Thurrock looked better after the break but needed to be substantially better to stand any chance of getting back into the game.
The Staines defence looked to be in control and never in any real danger. Thurrock battled away without any real chances being created until 2 minutes from time when David Bryant won a penalty as he was sandwiched between Sterling and Ifura.
Matthew Judge who had come on as a substitute replacing Leon Lalite, placed the ball on the spot, his shot was well hit but the keeper Louis Wells guessed its direction correctly and saved the shot but could not hold onto it and the rebound was easily put into the net by Judge.
Although the referee allowed an additional four minutes Thurrock were unable to make any impact and find an equaliser.
The danger signs are beginning to show as the free flowing accurate passing game that Thurrock started the season with seems a world away from their last three performances.
This next week will be interesting for Thurrock as they face East Thurrock in the Essex Senior Cup and then the long trip to Weston-S-Mare next weekend, anything less than two victories and then there will be doubts about their ability to maintain a challenge for the play offs.
