Tilbury 0, Gorleston 1

TILBURY ended Saturday's (22 April) clash in a state of despair after Gorleston's single-goal victory and a win for Great Wakering Rovers against a depleted AFC Sudbury saw Dockers relegated from the Isthmian North.

Home form has been the Nemesis for Tilbury, with just one league win at Chadfields all season. They have managed four draws and just a point against Gorleston would have been enough to keep them out of the bottom two, with a play-off chance to escape the drop.

But, despite creating several chances and striking the woodwork twice, it was not to be.

Tilbury's nerves were clearly on show in the opening stages and the visitors had early chances.

A pass from Connor Deeks with the outside of his right foot sent Nathan Stewart through in the first minute. Stewart tried to bend it in at the far post but Harry Girling saved.

Two minutes later George Keys headed a corner down but it bounced up over the bar.

Tilbury found their feet and hit the bar with an Oliver Spooner strike from distance and Kobe Yeboah put the ball in the Gorleston net but was offside.

The hosts might have gone in a goal up when, on the stroke of half time, Yeboah rounded keeper Jake Jessup but some excellent covering defending by Angus Mackie stopped Yeboah scoring into an empty net.

It has been that soprt of profligacy all season that has cost Tilbury dear.

Tilbury changed keepers at half time, with Both teams had big appeals for penalties in the second half and a superb Jessup save to deny Harry Donovan in the 73rd minute kept the scores level.

That would have been good enough for Dockers but with nine minutes remaining and news coming through that James White had put Wakering ahead in the 78th minute against Sudbury there was disaster for the Dockers when Stewart was sent away on the left and his low cross found Connor Ingram in the six yard box for a simple tap in.

Tilbury responded immediately with a Chris Millar header that smacked against the post and that summed up Dockers' season and they now have to plan for a step Five campaign.

The last time they were relegated Dockers bounced back at the first attempt and, with a new ground due to be built in time for the 2024/5 season, Tilbury fans will hope they can repeat the feat.