WITHOUT kicking a ball, after the scheduled Isthmian North fixture at Chadfields against Brentwood Town was called of because of an overnight deluge, Tilbury's prospects of escaping the division's relegation zone improved significantly today (Monday, 10 April).

The Dockers, who did themselves a huge favour by beating Witham Town on Saturday, were due to face Brentwood today but overnight rain made the pitch at Chadfields unplayable.

The same downpour also put paid to Aveley's derby clash at Canvey Island in the Isthmian Premier.

Dockers supporters therefore spent the day watching other teams' scorelines flash up across social media and the grins grew wider as the afternoon wore on.

Witham had the onerous task of travelling to face Hashtag United who were on the cusp of a title triumph and they were well beaten 4-1.

Tag can't yet claim the title as it is still mathematically possible they could be overhauled by AFC Sudbury who are six points behind, and with a worse goal difference - but the key thing from Tilbury's perspective was that Subury kept their very faint hopes alive by beating Tilbury's relegation rivals Coggeshall Town 3-0.

Another of the teams very much in the mix with Tilbury are Great Wakering, and they too went down - 2-0 at Heybridge Swifts.

And just to complete a great day of results for the Dockers, bottom club Hullbridge Sports, who are almost out of contention, lost 2-1 to Maldon & Tiptree - a result that does ensure the Jammers another season in the division.

The one match involving borough sides that did go ahead was the derby clash at Parkside, where Grays Athletic beat East Thurrock United 1-0.

It was a match that will not live long in the memory but at least it elevated Grays into a promotion-play-off place - though they are still in the sights of both sixth-placed Stowmarket and seventh-placed Felixstowe who were due to clash but it was another of the matches called off becasue of an unfit pitch.

Grays' winning goal came from the penalty spot after one time Blue Adalberto Pinto brought down Aron Gordon on 28 minutes. The spot kick was converted by Ronnie Winn.

With Aveley sidelined, Millers fans could only watch as the title race in the Premier moved closer to completion and Bishops Stortford are now in the box seat,

They beat relegated Brightlingsea Regent 3-0 and, with two matches left, are four points clear of Hornchurch who could only draw 2-2 at Carshalton.

Canvey are a point further behind and Aveley are eight points adrift.

Millers' fans's are now looking down rather than up as they seek the two points from three matches that will guarantee them a play-off place.