THERE was delight and despair in equal measure at two borough grounds this afternoon (Saturday, 22April).

The elation came at Parkside where Grays Athletic secured their place in the Isthmian North play-offs with a 2-0 win against relegated Hullbridge Sports but there were stunned faces at Chadfields where Tilbury slumped from fourth from bottom into the second automatic relegation spot.

The Dockers needed just a point against Gorleston to secure a place in the relegation play-offs against a Step Five side but they lost 1-0 and were doomed to the drop as relegation rivals Great Wakering Rovers produced a 'come from behind' win to beat second-placed AFC Sudbury 2-1.

That unexpected scenario condemns Tilbury to the Essex Senior League next season. 

Grays made no mistake in their last regular season outing and goals from Callum Watts and Sam Bantick saw them through to a play-off semi-final, ironically at Sudbury.

The season has ended ignominiously for fellow Isthmian North East Thurrock who suffered a final day 2-0 defeat at another play-off bound side Lowestoft.

Rocks have not won since late February and slipped from play-off contention to the bottom half of the table. 

In the Isthmian Premier Aveley ended their regular season with a 2-1 win at Enfield Town thanks to goals from Ryan Scott and Temi Babalola. 

Millers finished fourth and have a play-off trip to Canvey Island on Wednesday to look forward to.