East Thurrock United 2, Carshalton Athletic 0

WHILE firefighters were tackling a bizarre fire in an adjacent field, East Thurrock United lit up a wind and rainswept night with a sparkling display of their own.

The Rocks literally were on fire with a hard-working display that brought high-flying Carshalton down to earth.

Firefighters used water to douse a flaming tree about 100 yards from the stadium but Rocks produced extraordinary efforts of their own to douse their visitors' ambitions with sheer energy.

John Coventry's squad has been decimated by injuries, departures and illness and with virtually 11 first teamed left standing they might have been forgiven for throwing in the towel.

Far from it! From start to finish they harried and hassled the Robins across every yard of a pitch in remarkably good condition. But it would be unfair not to say they also showed lots of class, with intuitive passing and incisive play that saw them peg back their visitors.

Several half chances came and went before a stroke of fortune on 23 minutes saw them take the lead when Amos Nasher's chipped cross drifted over keeper Kleton Perntreou and into the net.

Rocks' celebrations were enhanced by a cascade of sparkling embers drifting from the burning tree - see footage via the red button below.

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A second goal followed on 35 minutes when Frankie Merrifield's energy and determination took him into the box where he outmuscled Bobby Price and he was hauled to the ground.

Darren Foxley smashed home the subsequent penalty with confidence.

The second half was played out in increasingly heavy rain and with it and the wind at their backs Carshalton showed more as an attacking force, but Rocks were equal to the task and kept them at bay.

On the odd occasion the back line was breached, keeper Jack Giddens protected his goal with confident handling and one great one-on-one save.

In the closing moments Ricks might have had two more but neither Nasha or Danny Harris were able to force close range efforts over the line.