Tilbury 1, Maldon & Tiptree 3

TILBURY's hopes of building on the previous week's win against Grays were thwarted by Isthmian North promotion chasers Maldon &Tiptree on Saturday (3 January) in front of a crowd of 455, many of whom joined in a pre-match round of applause in honour of Dockers supporter and Tilbury community stalwart Charlie Lawrence who died on the morning of the match.

Tilbury made just one change to the starting lineup against Grays, as Mo Amir replaced Tyler Forbes, who was among the substitutes. With him was also Connor Martin, returning to the squad following an injury which had kept him sidelined.

The title-chasing Jammers who went into the match in second, with games in hand, took an early grip on the match and nearly took the lead inside 20 minutes, as Anisius Lewis' flicked effort was lofted over Dion Henry and bounced towards the top corner. However, Luke Reeve got back brilliantly to clear the ball off the line and keep the scoreline level.

The Jammers continued to search for the opener, as Cameron James' weaving run down the right saw the full back beat his man before delivering a low cross to Michael Faulkner with time inside the area. Faulkner took a touch, but then failed to find the target, blazing his shot over the crossbar.

Tilbury were accompanied onto the pitch by matchday mascots Faye's Football.

The visitors threatened once again before half-time, as Lewis was slotted through with just the keeper to beat, but Dion Henry stood tall to make an important save. The resulting corner was whipped towards Lewis at the front post, and this time his headed effort found the right-side netting to break the deadlock.

Following the break, the away side doubled their lead courtesy of a swift counterattack spearheaded by Michael Faulkner. The midfielder found the pass to release Lewis, and he made no mistake, doubling his and Maldon's tally for the afternoon.

Dockers struck back on the hour mark, when Lester Ward did excellently on the left to shift the ball onto his left foot and stand a cross up to the back stick. Substitute Forbes was the target and rose well to nod the ball into the back of the net and kick-start a possible comeback.

However, it was not to be, as Jammers put the game to bed in stoppage time with another breakaway attack. This time Lewis became the provider, rolling his pass across to Michael Faulkner, who cut back onto his right foot and calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner.

With previous leaders Felixstowe not playing, the win lifted Maldon to the top of the table.

SQUAD: Henry, Fry (Forbes), Winn, Reeve, Hayes ©, Carter, Braney, Amir (Jones), Trendall, Elliott, Ward (Brocklebank). SUBS UNUSED: Agyiri, Martin.

Dockers are back in action on Saturday, 10January when they travel to face Newmarket Town (3pm)