AVELEY'S position at the top of the Isthmian North division improved today after an emphatic win at Parkside, while their nearest title rivals were held to a draw in one of the surprise results of the day.

Grays Athletic also enjoyed a good day - though a single goal win at Felixstowe was marred by two players getting sent off.

Tilbury suffered a defeat on their travels to Dereham, while in the Premier Division East Thurrock United's plight became more perilous after a defeat at Lewis.

A brace from Alex Akrofi and goals from Jon Benton and George Sykes helped Aveley to a resounding 4-0 victory at Parkside, where the visitors ended the match with ten men.

There was an entertaining start to the match, with box sides showing attacking intent and both hit the woodwork before the opening goal arrived just after the half hour when Benton drilled home a shot.

Earlier supporters from both sides had marked the seventh minute of the match with a round of applause for the all-to-brief life of Isla Caton. Football across the region had taken the West Ham loving youngster's fight against cancer to their hearts and many clubs participated in fundraising events for her.

Seven-year-old Isla had suffered from neuroblastoma cancer for much of her childhood but finally succumbed to the disease on Tuesday, 25 January.

Benton was involved in Millers' second goal just before the break when he was fouled in the box and Akrofi scored from the spot.

Millers extended their lead early in the second half when a corner kick from Benton was flicked on by Harry Gibbs and Sykes netted.

The final goal came nine minutes from time when Benton played in Akrofi who smashed the ball home. Bury's bad day was compounded moments later when keeper Ben Mayhew handled outside his box and was sent off. With Stowmarket surprisingly held by struggling Hullbridge, with win gives Aveley a little daylight at the top.

Red cards were also prominent at Felixstowe and Walton United, where Grays won 1-0 to maintain their promotion challenge.

The only goal came just after the hour from David Knight, who then saw red when he picked up a second yellow card on 75 minutes.

And he was followed to the dressing room with three minutes remaining when Ryan Sammons also picked up a second yellow.

But the Blues held out for a win that kept them in fourth spot.

Tilbury's long trip to Dereham proved fruitless, despite taking a 14th minute lead through Roman Campbell who headed in Lee Noble's cross – and they too had a player sent off, keeper Harry Girling being dismissed on 67 minutes.

By then Dereham had drawn level through Ashton Fox on the hour.

The cause of Girling's disquiet was a controversial penalty when Shaun Bammant was adjudged to have been fouled, a decision that Girling profoundly disagreed with and he paid his continued protests with an early bath. Rhys Logan converted the spot kick to put the Magpies in front.

East Thurrock United will feel they deserved more than 'hard luck' messages from their visit to Lewes, who challenging in the Premier Division promotion battle.

Rocks played full part in a match played out in difficult conditions and belied their lowly position in the table.

The hosts made marginally the better start and began to press, ultimately opening the scoring on 32 minutes when Juevan Spencer produced an excellent volleyed finish to place the ball into the roof of the net.

And Lewes doubled their lead four minutes later, as Razz Coleman De-Graft applied the finish to a fine passing move.

But East Thurrock came out fighting after the break and pegged Lewes back for lengthy periods with Johnny Ashman particularly prominent. And he got Rocks right back in the match on the hour when he latched onto a Ben Wyss through-ball before lifting the ball over onrushing keeper Lewis Carey.

More chances came and went from Rocks, who enjoyed a good spell, but they gradually tired and found themselves being threatened by counter-attacks.

And with a minute to go Casey Pettit appeared to make the game safe when he scored from close range.

However, there was to be one last salvo from Rocks who earned a penalty when effervescent Ollie Miles was fouled in added time. He picked himself up to score from the spot but there just wasn't enough time for Rocks to get any closer and they were left without anything to show for a valiant effort.