EAST Thurrock United goalkeeper Arthur Janata spared his side the embarrassment of equalling their worst ever defeat when he saved a penalty late in the game today (Saturday, 23 October).

At the time Rocks were 8-0 down and had the penalty been scored, the result would have matched the 9-0 defeat at the hands of Eton Manor in the Essex Senior League in 1982.

The odds on a new record looked highly likely at half time when East Thurrock trailed 7-0 to Isthmian Premier table-topping Enfield Town who had never previously ever beaten the Rocks.

Adam Cunnington had opened the scoring on six minutes and other first half goals came from Lyle Della-Verde (13 and 26), Muhammadu Faal (15, 21 and 33, pen) and Nathan Smith (39).

Faal added his fourth on 56 minutes, which was to prove the last goal despite considerable pressure which included Sam Youngs smashing an effort against the bar.

Della-Verde was the guilty party whose penalty was saved by Janata but the win was still the biggest in town's league history and firmly laid the East Thurrock jinx to bed!

In the Isthmian North Grays Athletic wasted little time in scoring in their first competitive action for three weeks, David Knight netting a penalty conceded in the first 30 seconds at Heybridge Swifts.

Danny Gould scored Grays' second just after the half hour but Heybridge hauled themselves back into the game on 64 minutes when Jack Adlington-Pile scored.

Grays made the game safe five minutes from time when Freddy Moncur netted, though most watchers thought he was well offside.

Tilbury went down 2-1 at Chadfields to visitors Hashtag United, with the winning goal coming from the penalty spot on 82 minutes, converted by one time Docker Kris Newby.

Joe Debell had opened the scoring for Hashtag in the opening minute with Roman Campbell equalising for Tilbury on 13 minutes.