Carshalton Athletic 1, Aveley 1

MILLERS missed the chance to go third in the Isthmian Premier on Saturday (15 November).

The top three were in FA Trophy action, so fourth place Aveley had the chance to continue their recent good form and move up to third- but they needed a win at the War Memorial Ground.

It didn't start well for the visitors, as one-time Miller Bryan Ifeanyi put the hosts ahead with a superb goal after only 11 minutes, curling the ball into the top corner.  

Aveley responded well and a ball was headed from Anthony Church to Suley Zuhdu whose effort on goal was well saved by the hosts' keeper Matt Kerbey.

Just after the half hour a dangerous ball in from George Saunders looked destined to reach Zudhu in a very dangerous position to nod in a leveller, but it was headed away well by Mathias Bakare.

Millers were constantly frustrated by Carshalton's time-wasting antics and eagerness to go to ground for treatment and looked as if Athletic would hold onto their lead at the break, but moments before the interval Kerby took out Saunders in the box and  Ollie Peters kept his cool to level from the spot. 

Millers were in the ascendency for much of the second half but they struggled to convert that into chances.

Jayden Robinson went close just after the hour with a shot and on 73 minutes it took a goal line clearance from Oli Atewologun to deny Tobi Tinubu.

Millers were really pressing at that point and three minutes later Kerby pulled off a fine save to deny Chris Harris.

The last knockings saw Jesse Nwabueze force another too stop from the Robins' keeper but the match ended soon after, with Aveley frustrated that they hadn't accumulated more than a point.

Millers are quickly back in action on Monday (17 November) when they host Witham Town in the Velocity Cup - a competition Aveley won the last time they participated.