Aveley 2, Stowmarket Town 1

A LATE goal from Jon Benton – and an even later and controversially disallowed effort from visitors Stowmarket - meant celebrations were the order of the day at Parkside on Saturday (26 March) where the Millers took a big step towards fulfilling their Isthmian North title aspirations.

Victory over third-placed Stowmarket keeps the destiny of the title firmly in Millers' own grasp.

With five matches to go Danny Scopes' side has a two-point lead at the top of the table from Canvey Island, who have played the same number of matches, with Stowmarket six points behind - albeit with two matches in hand. However, Aveley have a vastly superior goal difference to them.

Aveley's five match run-in is not without its obstacles and includes away matches at Hashtag Hunted, who are themselves very much in the hunt for a play-off spot, and an East Monday derby at Tilbury.

The other matches are a trip to Witham next weekend, relegated Romford on Good Friday and a final day visit to Hullbridge Sports. Again, there is the potential for a hiccup as Hullbridge and Withham will be fighting for their lives as they are both very much in the relegation scrap but on paper Scopes could hardly have plotted an easier run in.

It was a glorious afternoon at Parkside on Saturday, with a crowd of 547 creating a great atmosphere and the Aveley fans among them were delighted with the start made by their side, Benton notching the first of his brace after just four minutes when Stowmarket lost possession cheaply and he was set on his way to goal and produced an accomplished finish.

The lead lasted 15 minutes before Stowmarket drew level when Chris Casement fired home a free kick from distance. The remainder of the half was nip and tuck, but the visitors enjoyed a marginal superiority and more of the chances but there was no further scoring.

Perhaps with all players wary of the danger of making a mistake, the tempo slowed in the second half and there were few opportunities at either end but the first of two pivotal moments came in the last minute when a low cross from the right was picked up by Benton who created the space to fire in a low shot. It was parried by keeper James Bradbrook and fortuitously rebounded straight into his path and he swept the ball into the net to spark delirious celebrations. You can watch the goal on social media via this link.

But there was time for one last twist. Deep into six minutes of added time Stowmarket had the ball in the back of the net from another set piece that included keeper Bradbrook piling into the box where Willie Clemons guided the ball past Millers keeper David Hughes but the effort was controversially ruled out for an offside decision that was hotly contested - and in all likelihood a wrong decision.

Aveley will care not a jot about that and take their good fortune as a bonus, possibly a title-winning one!