Aveley started the second half in determined fashion and levelled just four minutes after the break when on the counter attack, new boy Billy Holland broke free down the right hand side and crossed from the byline to allow Daniel Francis a three yard tap in.
Thurrock then looked like a relegated side for the next few minutes as Basingstoke scored at will adding another two goals They increased their advantage on 27 minutes from the penalty spot, keeper Hughes came out and unfairly challenged resulting in a booking and a penalty. Wes Daley stepped up and converted the spot kick.
Mixed results across the borough. Well done Dockers. Now level on points with the final play off spot. They simply refuse to give up.Rocks will not have given up on the play offs so will be disappointed that they failed to get all three points at the Dripping Pan.
Grays found it hard to get into their stride and started to wear the face of the victim very early. Junior Baker and Harry Agombar were booked before fifteen minutes elapsed and there were howls of protests when Joao Carlos dived in the area.
The single goal scoreline flattered the visitors who were on the back-foot for most of the match and really only threatened once in the match reports the Thurrock Enquirer. That incident came midway through a scrappy first half when a couple of corners heaped pressure on the some defence and they were grateful to scramble the ball off the line in a goalmouth melee which saw Lewes supporters, if not their players, screaming for the award of goal.
Tilbury opened brightly and both Tilbury's forwards Alex Read and Tom Webb linked up well, causing the Needham's defence some concern. Tilbury took a well deserved lead on 13 minutes when man of the match Emiel Aiken smashed home from 20 yards in to the bottom corner. On 25 the effective Aiken played in Bradley Barnes who was denied and then Tom Webb struck from 40 yards that whistled just whistled over the bar, before Needham were dealt a blow in the half hour when Duane Wright was dismissed for his second foul on Eljay Worrell.
"He has been on our radar for a while now, and we have watched his progress with interest over the past year or so. We beleive Justin has the desire and commitment levels required to be sucessful, something that has been disappointing in managers that we have appointed since the departure of Rod Stringer to Braintree some 18 months ago.
Stones finally went ahead to stay when experienced defender Kevin Mully, another Aveley debutant, planted a diving header into his own net in the 67th minute. Scott Fitzgerald made it 4-2 and Jolly wrapped it up with his 32nd goal of the season to give a distorted look to the scoreline.
Thurrock stepped up the pressure as they played through the added eight minutes of added time trying to test Nisbet as soon as possible. After six minutes of added time Thurrock were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Maidenhead penalty area when David Knight was brought down by Leon Soloman.
However, a controversial moment came on 14 minutes when Margate’s Richard Avery kicked out at East Thurrock’s Marc Gorbell as he lay on the floor and though ref Paul Forrester eventually singled the visiting player for a talking to, he took no other action.
Who says that the Rocks can't still get in the play offs. They looked a class apart against Margate today.Terrific away win as the Blues return to form in style.
However, Grays opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Carlos broke from his own half, found Paul Olima on the left who picked his spot passed the keeper. Two minutes later, Nathan Gordon also opened his account as he got into the area from the right and near the dead ball line hit it low and hard behind Mott.
Thurrock resumed there campaign to fight relegation with the first of three important Home games here tonight at Ship Lane. Visitors Bromley are also desperate for points for the same reason so at the end neither teams were satisfied with sharing one point each.
THE FREEZING conditions has had an impact on the weekends football fixtures. The local derby between Aveley and Billericay, planned for Friday night is off.
