Tilbury 0, Bury Town 1

BURY goalkeeper Charlie Beckwith ultimately proved the difference as Isthmian North table toppers maintained their position at the expense of Dockers, who slipped out of the play-off zone and sit sixth, albeit with at least a game in hand over most of the teams above them.

The match, played out at Chadfields in front of a crowd of 260, also featured an impressive debut from Tilbury's new signing, keeper George Marsh, signed from Brightlingsea Regent following the recall of David Hughes by his parent club, Bowers & Pitsea.

The visitors took the lead after 19 minutes through Cemal Ramadan whose downward header found the bottom corner.

Tilbury responded well and put their visitors on the backfoot, leading to a good chance for captain Oliver Spooner but he dragged his shot just wide.

Bury might have extended their lead five minutes before the break when Ramadan burst through but Marsh reacted quickly and made a good save.

In the early stages of the second half Bury really put Dockers under pressure and Marsh was forced to make three good saves in quick succession.

Tilbury rode the storm and began to threaten and just before the hour Beckwith produced an outstanding save to deny Jordan Clark from close range and just a few minutes later repeated the effort to keep Lewis Clark's effort out after he was set up by Dab Trendall's cutback.

The hosts continued to press right to the end, only to be thwarted once more by Beckwith and in the end time ran out.

Tilbury are back in action on Tuesday (17 December) when they travel to Heybridge Swifts in the quarter-finals of the BBC Essex Senior Cup.