AVELEY hold the borough bragging rights and retain third position in the Isthmian North after today's (Monday, 27 December) 2-1 derby victory against Grays athletic at Parkside, watched by an impressive bank holiday crowds of 603.

The win was well-deserved but Millers failed to capitalise on a tremendous first half when they dominated the match and in the end found themselves hanging on in the face of a late onslaught from Grays, who also remain in the play-off zone despite the defeat.

The home side, playing host to their tenants, dominated the early exchanges and pressed Grays back right from the off.

The early pressure looked to have paid dividends on 19 minutes when George Sykes was played in by Jon Benton, but his measured finish slotting the ball past Grays keeper Danny Sambridge was ruled out by an offside flag.

However, it only delayed the inevitable and Aveley were ahead on 26 minutes when Sykes got on the end of a cross and produced a well-directed header into the corner of the net.

Chances came and were spurned in the remainder of the first half by Aveley, who must have been concerned in the break that they might pay for not adding to their tally.

However, they continued to dominate after the restart and in the opening stages of the second half Benton, Alex Akrofi and Jon Nzengo linked up well but again an great opportunity was wasted - and then Benton broke through but he was unable to add to his already prolific season's tally.

A second goal eventually arrived on 57 minutes, engineered from the back by keeper David Hughes who fed Benton in and when Sambridge advanced from his goal the youngster laid the ball into the path of Nzengo who simply passed the ball into an empty net.

Going two down proved to be something of a catalyst for Grays, who immediately picked up their tempo and they grabbed a goal back just five minutes later when the ball broke for James Smith and he fired past Hughes.

That set up an exciting last half hour and Grays came more and more into the ascendency as the clock ticked down but they were unable to find a second route past Hughes, who pulled off a fine last minute save to ensure victory for the Millers.

They now have a second festive derby with a trip to Tilbury on New Year's Day.

Tilbury go into that clash on the back of a 5-1 drubbing today at the hands of Canvey Island (who travel to face Grays on Saturday).

Thing initially looked good for Keith Rowland's side at the The Frost Financial Stadium where Roman Campbell gave Dockers the lead after just four minutes – but it all went downhill from there.

Canvey were level on 14 minutes through Evans Kouassi and Conor Hubble's 26th minute goal gave the Gulls a half time lead.

Matthew Price extended that a minute into the second half and two goals in the last minute and fourth minute of added time from Jamie Salmon and Hubble made it a day to forget for the visitors.

In the Isthmian Premier East Thurrock United also found themselves in the and they were given a 1-0 lead at Brightlingsea Regent by a goal from Jake Gordon right at the end of the first half.

However, the hosts got back on level terms through Aaron Blair two minutes into the second half and Zack Littlejohn put them ahead on 55 minutes.

The match had a sour ending for Littlejohn who picked up two yellow cards and was dismissed in the closing moments of the match but by then it was too late for the Rocks to do anything about the deficit and the defeat has dropped them into the bottom three.

East Thurrock will be looking to bounce back with a home match against Cray Wanderers on New Year's Day.