A SINGLE goal decided today's top of the table encounter at Parkside, where promotion-chasing Aveley were beaten by leaders Bishops Stortford.

Elsewhere it was a good day for borough sides with Tilbury adding hope to their bid to avoid relegation from the Isthmian North in another match where one goal was decisive.

Grays kept their promotion hopes alive with a win and East Thurrock United found two late goals to delight their fans and get a draw in their home clash with league newcomers New Salamis.

Tilbury were the only one of the bottom eight sides in the Isthmian North to win in the first round of an Easter double header, Alex Clark's 48th minute goal at Witham proving decisive.

The result means Tilbury could still overhaul Witham and get out of the bottom four.

Isthmian North

With three games each remaining, Witham (and Gorleston who also lost) are six points ahead of the Dockers, who play host to Brentwood Town on Monday.

Tilbury will still require the teams above them to drop points so don't control their own destiny - though they do play host to Gorleston in their last fixture of the season.

The win today (Saturday, 8 April) was influenced by the dismissal of Witham's keeper Rhys Madden, who numbers Tilbury, Thurrock FC and Aveley among his former clubs, just before half time.

Grays did Tilbury a big favour with a 2-1 win at Great Wakering Rovers - that also keeps their play-off hopes on the boil.

Much travelled David Knight, a former Docker among his many clubs and who grabbed the goals when Rovers recently beat Tilbury, looked like he might have stuck another dagger in the heart of his former club when he put Rovers ahead on 49 minutes.

However, Grays grabbed an equaliser before half time through Callum Leahy.

The second half of a poor match was pretty even but was marred by a bad head injury to Grays' Sam Bantick close to the end of normal time.

Despite extensive treatment to a bleeding wound he was unable to carry on but lots of time was added on and in the 99th minute Callum Watts grabbed the winner for Grays.

East Thurrock entertained New Salamis and found themselves two behind after Nathan Mandla struck on five minutes and Harrison Georgiou grabbed a 2st minute goal.

However, Ayo Odukota got one back seven minute from time and in the last minute Max Fiddes salavaged a point with a goal that made it 2-2.

It will put the Rocks in good heart for Monday's derby trip to Parkside where they face Grays Athletic.

Aveley's clash with Bishops Stortford drew 643 to Parkside and they saw the only goal of the match scord by Bishops' Ryan Charles after 31 minutes.

The defeat may well put an end to Millers' title hopes as they are now five points behind Bishops, and three behind Hornchurch and Canvey Island who both also won today.

Aveley travel to Canvey on Monday.