Tilbury 2, Grays Athletic 1

TILBURY not only produced a morale-boosting victory against neighbours Grays in today's Boxing Day Isthmian league derby, but ensured they kept themselves close to the promotion race as the top eight sides all picked up points.

Dockers came out of the festive fixtures in seventh place, while defeat left Grays in tenth, seven points adrift of the promotion zone though, like Tilbury, they do have a match in hand.

Tilbury's joint manager Marc Harrison came out of the match in ebullient mood and believes his side can go on to greater things in 2025.

In front of a crowd of 565 the match was closely contested and there were few clear cut chances in the opening half hour, though home fans were aggrieved when penalty claims after Dan Trendall tumbled in the box were waved away

However, the deadlock was broken on 40 minutes when Sam Bantick's intuitive ball set Jamie Reynolds free in a wide position and he clipped in a ball that picked out Trendall who headed home for the opening goal.

Dockers had built up a head of steam around the goal and were only denied a second when Danny Sambridge pulled off a fine save to Tilbury captain Oliver Spooner.

However, the home side were not to be denied a second goal before the break and two minutes into added time Bantick was brought down in the box and Jordan Clark made no mistake from the spot,

Grays came out strongly in the second half and it took them just five minutes to claw a goal back when, after a scramble in the box that resulted in home keeper George Marsh going down holding his head after a challenge for the ball. Play went on and Luke Hirst seized his moment as he ball dropped and he guided it into the net.

The rest of the half saw Tilbury defend their lead with acumen and, deep into nine minutes of added time, they almost added a third as Trendall broke away and he was taken down by Alex Moss who started walking towards the tunnel before the ref flourished the red car.

That was to be the last significant act of a hard fought derby that ended with both side still optimistic of a promotion challenge to come, but Dockers are definitely in the better seat.

Both sides are quickly back in action.

On Saturday (28 December) Grays are at home to Mildenhall Town, who are still flirting with the drop zone.

Tilbury will have high hopes as they travel to bottom club Ipswich Wanderers.