Chelmsford City 1, Aveley 0

ANOTHER strong performance from Millers on the road went unrewarded as Aveley came away from the Melbourne Stadium with a narrow Vanarama National league South defeat at their hands of their Essex neighbours today Wednesday, 1 January).

If there was a ray of good news it was that just one of the seven teams at the bottom of the table managed a win, though St Albans' 2-1 home win against Enfield Town did lift them above the Millers, who remain eight points from safety. Incredibly, of the bottom seven, four - including Aveley have the same goal difference of -18 so the second half of the season could yet be decided by small margins.

The match was decided by Osman Foyo's first half header, his 13^th of the season, though Hamza Bin-Semakula and Razzaq Coleman De-Graft both threatened to equalise for the visitors in the second half.

Mid-table Clarets started the game brightly and were denied in the seventh minute by Aveley goalkeeper James Holden who kept out saved Kane Crichlow's effort from 12 yards out.

Aveley almost responded immediately when Josh Anifowose flashed a dangerous ball across the six-yard box. However, none of his teammates could apply a decisive touch on the cross.

Clarets regained control of the match and were rewarded six minutes before half-time. A free kick won by Jake Hyde was delivered into Aveley's penalty area by Sam Oguntayo and the cross was met by the head of the unmarked Foyo at the back post.

An indifferent second period of the match came to life in the closing stages of the half. Foyo nearly turned from scorer to provider in the 70th minute when he set Crichlow through on goal. However, with only Holden to beat, Crichlow placed his shot wide of the post.

The Clarets nearly paid for Crichlow's miss when Aveley had two good chances in quick succession. Bin-Semakula bent a dangerous free kick towards goal in the 72nd minute, but his effort clipped the top of the crossbar. Just minutes later, Anifowose delivered another threatening cross, which this time found De-Graft in the box, but his low shot narrowly missed the target.

Chelmsford's  Charlie Ruff had the ball in the back of the net in the 82nd minute when he converted a quickly taken wide free kick. However, the goal did not stand after referee Jack Bloxham signalled that the set piece needed to be re-taken.

Aveley had a couple of late flings but City held firm in five minutes of added time to secure the points, leaving Aveley to lick their wounds.

Danny Scopes' side have a ten day break until they are in action again when Chesham United will be visitors to Parkside on Saturday, 11 January.