GRAYS Athletic improved their Isthmian North goals difference at the expense of visitors Great Wakering Rovers this afternoon, making it an unhappy return to Parkside for Rovers manager John Coventry who spent the past two seasons there as coach to Aveley.

The hero for Grays was Anointed Chukwu who completed a first half hat-trick to put the match to bed by half time.

Aron Gordon had set Grays on the way with the opening goal on six minutes and though Darnell Mavanga-Kithambo got one back after the break, Chukwu's three goals in a 13 minute burst (19, 26 and 32 minutes) proved decisive.

And a good day for Grays was capped off when David Knight made it 5-1 in the 77th minute.

The win moves Grays up to fourth and Aveley, who beat Barking last night, stay top on goal difference.

Tilbury also got among the goals, beating bottom club Romford 3-0 at Chadfields where Sam Jeremiah (28), Chris Millar (32) and Jesse Olukolu (83) netted in a 3-0 win that ended a previous six match winless run.

In the Premier Division there was more disappointment for struggling East Thurrock United who were beaten 3-1 at home by Haringey Borough.

Rocks have won just once in the league since the turn of the year and are lodged deep in a relegation battle.

Things didn't look good when David Olufemi (23) and Rakim Richards (39) gave Haringey a 2-0 half time lead and though Ollie Miles got one back two minutes into the second half, a 3-1 defeat was confirmed by Sami Bessadi's goal just after the hour.