Tilbury 0, Waltham Abbey 0

AFTER a ten day break Tilbury returned to isthmian North action on Tuesday evening (16 September) and took a hard-earned point from fifth-placed Abbey.

There was little to report from a dull first half of few chances, though it was notable for being Connor martin's 100th performance in a Tilbury shirt.

Abbey went close but were denied by Dockers keeper Harry fairs who kept Amrit Bansal-McNulty's effort out and in the closing moments of the half Tilbury had their best chance when good build-up play led to Jamie Reynolds getting a shooting opportunity but visiting stopper Bradley Robinson matched his Tilbury counterpart's earlier effort with a save of his own.

Following the break, Luke Reeve was given space to carry the ball up the pitch down the righthand side. His cross was bent around the defence and won by Oli Spooner, who directed his header goalward. Unfortunately, Robinson was down quick to deny the effort.

The Abbotts were quick to respond with a chance of their own though, when a quick free kick was switched across to Abdiraham Mohamud in space on the left wing. He took on two defenders before chopping onto his right foot, but the eventual strike soared past the far post and went out for a goal kick.

Robinson was called to action again for the visitors when Max Appauh's out-swinging free kick was towards Sam Carter. The midfielder's header was flicked goalward, but Robinson got a fingertip on it to push the ball over the crossbar and deny Tilbury the opener.

Tilbury had a chance to win the game in stoppage time when Dan Trendall recycled a chance by chasing down the loose ball on the left. The forward fizzed in a low cross to Oli Spooner, but his strike was sent over the crossbar and that was the last goal area incident.

Dockers are back in action on Saturday (20 September) when they travel to Welwyn Garden City in the FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying.