Tilbury 1, Gorleston 1

ONLY a last gasp goal spared Tilbury total disappointment from Saturday's Isthmian North clash at the EMR Stadium.

On the plus side they remain just a point behind fifth place Witham Town, as Grays Athletic fought out a 2-2 at the Simarco Stadium with Town. And Dockers have a match in hand, which will be played at Tilbury on Tuesday (21 January) when they host Walthamstow (7.45pm).

Tilbury were unchanged following the midweek win against Concord Rangers, though they included new signing Olly Sotoyinbo on the bench after signing him from Maldon and Tiptree. The striker numbers Bowers & Pitsea, Walthamstow and Brightlingsea Regent among his former clubs. Also on the bench was Connor Martin, returning after injury.

Dockers came close to opening the scoring when Jamie Reynolds delivered a perfect cross to find Alex Hernandez. Antoni Bort brilliantly saved the striker's header before the rebound was sent over the crossbar.

The hosts came close again on 33 minutes as Sam Bantick attempted an audacious chip that rolled just wide of the far post.

But Gorleston took the lead seconds later as they were quickly down the other end to release Jake Reed, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

The home side hoped to grab a goal early on in the second half but were denied once again by Bort as Kieran Jones couldn't finish off his weaving run with a goal.

Gorleston displayed their counterattacking abilities by swiftly working their way into an attacking position for themselves that ended with Ryan Curtis' cannoned strike rattling the crossbar.

In the 70th minute Dockers had another chance, this time down the right-hand side, as Lindell Stewart beat his defender to find the space for a shot but it was denied by the outstretched leg of Bort.

In the opening moments of added time, Tilbury finally found their equaliser through the centre-back, Jack Hayes. Macauley Joynes' corner was cleared but only as far as Jamie Reynolds who fired a volley back into the sea of bodies. The ball fell kindly for man-of-the-match Hayes who rifled his strike into the near-side top corner.

Deep into stoppage time, Tilbury felt they should have had a penalty when sub Sotoyinbo was brought down in the area as he prepared to pull the trigger. However, the referee waved away their appeals. And that was that.