Gorleston 2 Tilbury 1

AFTER their midweek comeback win in the Essex Senior Cup, Tilbury returned to Isthmian North action on Saturday (17 October) with the long trip to high-flying Gorleston.

Joint managers George Christou and Jack Toghli made a few changes from the cup side with Charlie Stimson, Joe Elliott and Issa Sidibe all returning to the starting lineup.

And they saw their side make a good start, with early pressure resulting in the winning of a penalty after eight minutes, won by the efforts of two of the returnees. Stimson did well to set up Sidibe, whose effort was denied by the hand of a defender. Joe Elliott took responsibility for the spot kick and made no mistake, firing home the opener and his fourth goal of the season.

But it didn't take long for Gorleston to respond, as on 16 minutes Luke Johnson cut in from the left-hand side and produced a goal-of-the-season worthy strike that flew into the top right corner, clipping the inside of the post on its way through.

The Greens then took the lead in the 40th minute, as a long throw from the right flank wasn't dealt with by the Tilbury defence and Joe Marsden was able to head home from close range.

Dockers are back in action on Tuesday (20 October) when they travel to Redbridge's Techsoc.com Stadium (Redbridge) to face second-placed Hashtag United, who lost top spot to Gorleston when they were held 2-2 at home by Witham on Saturday.

SQUAD: Lawlor, Bennett (Nandi), Elliott, Reeve ©, Taylor, Rea, Toussaint (Winn), Brocklebank, Allen, Stimson (Salau), Sidibe. SUBS UNUSED: Wheatley.