East Thurrock United 0, Worthing 1

THERE was a deep sense of disappointment at Rookery Hill on Tuesday (8 March) where massive underdogs and relegation-haunted East Thurrock belied their lowly position and gave the Isthmian Premier leaders a real run for their money.

Worthing toped the table by ten points going into the match and on paper looked certainties, but the Rocks made their lives difficult.

Worthing enjoyed the lion's share of possession and Rocks defence and keeper Arthur Janata were kept busy, but there were still moments of alarm at the back for the visitors.

The game's decisive moment came ten minutes after the break when after a scramble Callum Kealey forced the ball home from close range.

Rocks were adamant they should have had a penalty but ref Scott Rudd surprised most people in the ground by waving away their appeals and that summed up Rocks' night – so close but so far away from a break!