Bury Town 2, Tilbury 1

TILBURY failed to capitalise on a fine first half performance on Saturday (15 March) when they created more chances than their high-flying Suffolk hosts and in the end, they paid for that.

They were competitive throughout and, after Bury had taken a two-goal lead, did drag themselves back into the game through Alex Hernandez but ultimately they left Ram Meadow with no points and an increased gap between themselves and the fifth Isthmian North play-off place.

With eight matches left they are nine points behind fifth-placed Brightlingsea Regent and winning their match in hand on Tuesday (18 March) against Mildenhall at the EMR Stadium has become almost essential.

There were few chances in a rather lack-lustre first half, though Hernandez established his credentials with a decent fourth minute strike at goal that brought a good save from home stopper Charlie Beckwith.

Bury's forwards were largely marginalised by the hard-working Tilbury defence and midfield who denied their hosts time and space to settle on the ball as they closed Bury down quickly.

On 30 minutes a Tilbury attack gave Kieran Jones an opportunity to shoot from distance but Beckwith made a comfortable save.

Bury finally went close on 39 minutes when Max Maughn put a pass across the edge of the box for Taylor Parr to shoot but he put his strike just wide of the far post.

On 41 minutes another Bury attack saw Max Maughn work the ball in from the wing and his cross in the box looking for Camal Ramadan was too close to Dockers stopper Thomas Middlehurst who collected the ball with ease.

Just before the break Bury got forward to give Ed Upson the chance to test the keeper from outside the box but his shot was saved Middlehurst.

However, Bury came out of the traps quickly in the second half and took the lead on 51 minutes when Luke Brown's shot was initially saved by Middlehurst but the ball broke loose to Ramadan and he scored from an incredibly tight angle.

Bury doubled their lead on 62 minutes when a corner into the box played in by Mikey Davis was headed home by Lewis O'Malley.

Bury had the ball in the net again on 65 minutes only to be ruled out for offside. Bury looked comfortable but on 69 minutes an error at the back let in Hernandez who halved the deficit for Tilbury.

On 71 minutes Maughn went inches way from another goal for Bury when his powerful low shot to the near post was saved then spilled by the keeper who then had to scramble to stop the ball crossing the goal line.

The visitors had a double effort on goal on 77 minutes when a shot to the near post was blocked on the line by Maughn and Hernandez hit the bar with his follow up strike.

On 83 minutes Tilbury won a corner which was sent into the box and Jack Hayes' goal bound header from close range saw Beckwith make a superb save.

Tilbury finished the game strong and Bury had to be at their best in defence but at the final whistle the hosts had the honours and they maintain their title challenge from second place.

Dockers will be hoping for a better outcome on Tuesday (7.45pm), at Chadfields.