AVELEY got the job done today and celebrated Easter Monday (18 April) by lifting the Isthmian North championship trophy after an emphatic 4-0 win against borough rivals Tilbury in front of a crowd of 811 at Parkside.

Going into the match Aveley knew a win would make the title a certainty with a match to spare, regardless of any other side's performance and they had the title in their grasp after less than half an hour, establishing a four goal lead.

Alex Akrofi opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 14 minutes and he turned provider five minutes later, squaring the ball to Kenny Aileru who took a touch and found the bottom corner.

The blistering start continued on 22 minutes when Aileru crossed for George Sykes to net with a left footed effort.

And it was Aileru who made the fourth on 28 minutes, wining the ball back and picking out Jon Benton who in turn set up a strike for Sykes who curled the ball into the top corner.

Aveley might have added a fifth from Benton before the break but their grip on the game never eased and they saw through the second half watching the clock tick down to secure their title success and spark celebrations on the pitch and on the Parkside terraces.

The win ensured second-placed Canvey could not catch them, despite the Gulls ending any faint hopes Grays Athletic might have had of a play-off spot with a 3-1 win against the Blues at the Frost Financial Stadium.

It has been a bitterly disappointing end to the season for Paul Joynes' Grays side who have been in the top five for much of the season, only to fall away when the pressure really came on.

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They were behind at Canvey after just seven minutes when Matthew Price scored and by half time they were well out of it thanks to Evans Kouassi's 26th minute goal and a Price penalty on 38 minutes.

Anointed Chukwu got a consolation on 71 minutes but it was far too little, far too late for Grays who will spend another season at Step Four.

Hoping to avoid playing in Step Four next season are East Thurrock United who travel to Cray Wanderers on Wednesday (20 April) knowing a win against their relegation rivals will secure their place in the Isthmian Premier – and renewed league rivalry with promoted Aveley. Rocks' other relegation rivals Merstham and Leatherhead failed to win today and so East Thurrock stay fourth from bottom, two points above Cray.

While a draw on Wednesday wouldn't be the worst result, it would set up a cliff hanger of a last day of the season on Saturday when East Thurrock's goal difference of -50 could yet become a deciding factor in their destiny so managers Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace will be going all out to motivate their team to complete the great escape with a game in hand.