IT was a good day for Thurrock's non-League sides this afternoon as three out of the four teams won, with just tilbury missing out and having to settle for a high-scoring away draw.

It would be difficult to decide the result of the day, with east Thurrock Unite beating Merstham to keep their hopes of Isthmian Premier survival well and truly alive – while Aveley cemented their position as Isthmian North tile favourites with an emphatic away win.

And Grays Athletic fans will have been delighted to see their side grab a vital victory in their bid for an Isthmian North play-off place.

A crowd of 257 were at Rookery Hill to see East Thurrock host relegation rivals Merstham and the majority in the crowd were delighted to see Jack Morrell give the Rocks a lead two minutes before the half time break.

Rocks looked in control of their destiny for much of the match and victory – and comfortable last half hour, was secured when the in-form Ollie Miles netted their second on 58 minutes.

Rocks now have now moved out of the two automatic relegation places and sit third from bottom where relegation could still happen depending on comparative records between third from bottom sides in the other tier three divisions across the south of England.

But they are now level on points with 18th-placed Merstham and 19th-placed Brightlingsea and with four matches left, including two at Rookery Hill, they will feel they have a chance of getting out of trouble.

None of their remaining opponents are in the top ten of the table, and starting with a trip to 11th-placed Bognor Regis next Saturday, Rocks will feel they have a real opportunity to pick up points.

Other remaining matches see them home to Wingate & Finchley and Horsham (on the last day of the season). The other away trip is to second from bottom Cray Wanderers.

While Rocks are hoping to stay in the Premier, Aveley and Grays are making a real fight on getting into it next season.

After today's comprehensive 5-1 win at Witham Town, Aveley remain very much in the title driving seat, especially as second-placed Canvey were beaten at home by Maldon and third-placed Stowmarket held to a surprise draw at home to lowly Barking.

It was always a day when a slip might prove expensive and in the early stages of the match at Witham, where Millers fans were manyfold in a crowd of 256, there was a worry as Aveley went behind to Adam Vyse's 13 minute goal.

But Ryan Scott got Aveley on level terms on 26 minutes and Garrett Kelly's 39th minute goal gave them the half time lead.

Scott's second of the game three minutes after the resumption settled nerves and George Sykes (81) and Jon Benton (85) netted to give the visitors a nap hand.

With home games against Hashtag United and Tilbury to come and trips to already relegated Romford and struggling Hullbridge Sports to come, the title is very much in Aveley's own hands.

Grays Athletic remain fifth this evening after a 2-1 win against play-off rivals Hashtag at Parkside.

The visitors were very much in contention to overhaul Grays going into the match and after a goalless first half in front of a crowd of 409 there was everything to play for.

Lewis Clark gave the Blues the lead five minutes into the second half and home nerves were jangling when Ben Brookes put the visitors level seven minutes later.

However, the winner came on 76 minutes from Anointed Chukwu and it kept Grays in the play-off zone.

It was almost a clean sweep of wins for borough sides but Tilbury were denied by a last minute equaliser at Heybridge Swifts.

A first half double from Brian Moses (21 and 32 minutes) put Dockers in the driving seat and though Jack Adlington-Pile got one back just before the hour for Swifts, Jamel Allen's 72 minute effort restored the two goal advantage.

Benjamin Sartin's 76th minute goal looked likely just to be a consolation for swifts but in the last minute Lionel Ainsworth struck to force a 3-3 draw.