A SEVEN goal derby triumph for Aveley and a defeat for the overnight leaders Stowmarket means the Millers sit top of the Isthmian North this evening.

Aveley took a while to get into their stride against bottom club Romford at Parkside this afternoon but once Alex Akrofi put them ahead on 20 minutes when he hooked home Jon Benton's corner there was no looking back.

Akrofi went on to add his second from the penalty spot eight minutes later and after George Syke (31) and Ryan Scott (34) made it three in six minutes Akrofi completed his hat-trick on the stoke of half time.

The second half was nowhere near as productive in terms of goals but Aveley ensured the icing on the cake with a sixth goal from Jon Nzengo with four minutes to go and in the last minute Kenny Aileru grabbed his first for the Millers – who were already cock-a-hoop before word came through that Stowmarket had lost to Dereham, leaving Danny Scopes' side top of the table on goal difference.

Aveley were also indebted to Great Wakering Rovers, now under the leadership of veteran borough manager John Coventry who sprang the surprise of the day with a 3-2 win at Canvey Island to thwart the Gulls' hopes of going top.

Elsewhere in the division there was disappointment for Grays athletic, who went down 1-0 at Brentwood where former Aveley and East Thurrock marksman Tom Richardson's 39th minute goal was the only one of the game for Town.

And though the scoreline was inflated by two very late goals, there was little joy for Tilbury who went down 4-1 at Basildon United. The home side took the lead on the hour through veteran Bertie Brayley but Tilbury drew level through Eljay Worrell's 60th minute penalty.

Yao Aziamale restored the home side's advantage four minutes later and he got another in the last minute, quickly followed by an added time effort from Alexander Balisani to give Basildon a 4-1 win.

A third successive defeat for East Thurrock United ended a disappointing festive period today and leaves the Rocks second from bottom in the Isthmian Premier.

And after the 5-0 hammering at mid-table Wingate and Finchley things won't get any easier this coming weekend, with a visit to Rookery Hill of league leaders Worthing, though Rocks may take some solace from the fact that the Rebels lost 2-1 today at Carshalton.

Since the arrival of joint managers Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace in November Rocks have picked up just five points from eight matches and the second half of the season seems set to be a struggle.

Rocks found themselves behind after 14 minutes in today's clash at the Maurice Rebak Stadium when Alkeo Bani put the North London side ahead and Hani Berchiche added a second on 26 minutes.

It was a lead Wingate took into the break and they got an even firmer grip on the game on 68 minutes with a Freddie Hinds goal and Berchiche's second on 74 minutes sealed the deal.

A bad day for Rocks was made worse when Liam Smyth made it a nap hand in the last minute.