EXPECTATIONS and hope will be running high in equal measure at Rookery Hill in Corringham this afternoon as East Thurrock United bid to continue their bid for a great escape.

The Rocks go into today's Isthmian Premier match against fellow strugglers Merstham on the back of successive victories. Half an eye at Rookery hill will be on the clash between fellow relegation rivals Leatherhead and Cray, who play each other – which means that even with a win Rocks won't get out of the bottom three but three points would set them up for survival with four matches left after today.

Meanwhile there is no room for a mistake at the top of the Isthmian North, where leaders Aveley travel to Witham Town. The destiny of the title remains in the Millers' hands with five matches to go but with Canvey Island and Stowmarket pressing them hard Millers are likely to need the win to keep the gap open at the top.

Grays Athletic have a vital match in their bid to make the play-offs as they host Hashtag United at Parkside.

Grays sit in the fifth and final play-off place and while defeat to eighth-place Hashtag would see their opponents draw level on points, the Blues have a better goal difference. However, it would open the door for Dereham to possibly edge into fifth with a win at Coggeshall.

Maldon have a game in hand and are also in the play-off picture but while a win for the Jammers at second-placed Canvey wouldn't help Grays' cause, it would be a huge boost for Aveley.

Tilbury travel to Heybridge Swifts and while there is a slight chance of relegation sides making ground behind both sides, it is little more than an end of season work out as the Dockers continue to build for next season under caretaker boss Eljay Worrell.