AVELEY missed a great chance to get one hand firmly on the Isthmian North title this evening (Friday, 8 April) when they were beaten - a first home defeat of the season for the Millers.

A bumper crowd of 746 saw Hashtag United spoil the party with a win that very much keeps their hopes of sneaking a play-off place alive.

The 2-1 defeat came courtesy of goals in the 18th and 72nd minutes from Matthew Wooldridge and Jermaine Francis respectively.

George Sykes had quickly cancelled out the opener within three minutes.

Millers dominated much of the game and had plenty of chances but they were unable to convert them.

Because Stowmarket could only draw 1-1 in midweek with Maldon & Tiptree, defeat isn't fatal for the Millers who, with three games left and a one point advantage even if Stowmarket and Canvey Island win their games in hand, still control their own destiny but the title race now seems set to go to the wire

Grays Athletic will be hoping to keep their place in the play-off zone with a win at Dereham Town, who are also challenging for a place in the top five. Grays currently sit fifth, two places and two points above their hosts.

There's little other than pride at stake as Tilbury also travel and will be hoping to make up ground on Bury Town who sit one place above them in mid table.

East Thurrock travel to Bognor Regis in the Isthmian Premier on the back of three successive wins.

A fourth in the spin will, in all probability, lift them out of the bottom three but a defeat or draw could, if results go adversely elsewhere, see them on the bottom - such are the fine margins in the tightest of relegation scraps.