Aveley 1, Worthing 2

IF a match encapsulated the story of a season, Monday night's (10 March) defeat at the hands of Vanarama National League South leaders Woking was probably it.

Relegation now seems a certainty for the Millers but if, or when they, they do go down, they will remember nights like this and another battling effort in the face of adversity.

And have the recollection of a remarkable goal from Alfie Lewis.

The dye was cast as early pressure from the Rebels forced Millers onto the back foot. Worthing struck the woodwork less than five minutes into the contest, as Jack Spong's corner evaded everyone at the near post and cannoned off the post. Odei Martin Sorondo was there to follow up, saw his shot blocked – an early indicator of Millers' determination not to go down wanting.

Rebels were dominant in possession in the first half, but couldn't create anything clear cut rtahnks to the hard-working Millers. Joe Partington went closest with a header that was kept out by the Millers' keeper James Holden, low to his right as Agutter's side continued to search for the opener.

And it was to be the hosts who got the first goal. Jake Leahy's ball in behind the Worthing defence on the left channel had encouraged keeper Lucas Covolan to race out of his area to head it clear. His header, though, fell straight to Lewis who was about ten yards inside the Worthing half as he struck a half volley towards goal, with Covolan not in the picture. It was an agonising wait for the ball to hit the back of the net, with Sam Beard's scrambling efforts unable to prevent it.

It was a lead that Aveley took into the break and they continued to defend it determinedly in the second stanza as Worthing boss Chris Agutter shuffled his pack with two substitutions.

Liam Nash had the first real chance of the second half after being set up by Spong, but the forward's chipped effort was held onto by Holden. A third change was made five minutes later, as Nicky Wheeler made way for Ruben Carvalho.

Eventually though, the inevitable happened, though it took a great goal on 77 minutes to finally get Worthing on level terms when Jack Grealish lookalike Danny Cashman who popped up at the edge of the area with a fine effort that dipped just underneath the crossbar and into the back of the net.

The table (updated after Tuesday's matches).

The closing stages saw the introduction of new Millers loan signings Oliver Reeve from Stevenage and Daniel Izekor from Biggleswade Town but with minutes of their first goal, the Rebels were in front when Cashman found the net again, this time hitting the underside of the bar as he scored from close range at the far post.

Millers never gave up and pressed Worthing back in the closing stages but a recovery was not to be and once again manager Danny Scopes could only reflect on pride, rather than points.

He was also unhappy with the inconsistency of the refereeing, with Millers penalised for timewasting midway through the first half and Rebels getting away with it consistently during the final few minutes as the clock ran down.

He said: "We will report that but as far as the game goes, full credit to the boys. I'm disappointed with the result and I felt some of the responsibility lies with me but I cannot fault the boys' effort and running power and how hard they worked for the shirt.

"Now it's about keeping going and fighting and being as competitive as we can."