AVELEY'S remarkable first season back in the Isthmian Premier will go to one last game - a play-off final against neighbours Hornchurch on Monday - after a tense, penalty shoot-out win against Canvey Island at the Movie Starr Stadium in front of a crowd of 972 on Wednesday (26 April) evening.

A couple of weeks ago the two sides drew 2-2 in a league fixture on the same ground, but there were no goals in open play this time around and it went to a shoot-out.

A large following from Aveley watched their team, which finished three points behind Canvey in the final table, play full part in a hard fought 90 minutes that was followed by 30 minutes of tense extra time but there was to be no goal and the outcome went to penalties.

Connor Hubble opened the scoring from the spot for Canvey and Siju Odelusi matched it.

Millers keeper Jonathan North then saved Bradley Sach's spot kick and Harry Gibbs turned up the pressure by converting Aveley's next.

All eyes were on Canvey's Joe Paxman with the Gulls third but once again North pulled off a save.

Evans Kouassi kept hopes for Canvey alive but they were quickly crushed when Oli Coker scored for the Millers to win the tie.

Hornchurch also needed penalties to win through after drawing 3-3 with Cray Wanderers.