Aveley 0, Dartford 1

AVELEY were left stunned after Saturday's 'battle of the bridge' at Parkside saw the visitors snatch victory in the fifth minute of added time thanks to Harvey Bradbury's header after a long throw into the box.

It was rough justice on the Millers who had created the better chances during the hard-fought encounter, played out in front of 502 supporters.

The opening ten minutes saw both sides create just the one effort apiece. But, neither Charlee Hughes for Aveley or Tyrell Miller-Rodney for the visitors were able to trouble the respective goalkeepers.

After a period dominated in the midfield, Millers were the first to test a goalkeeper, as Eduino Vaz saw his strike saved by Mitchell Beeney. The visitors responded with a brilliant move seconds later, after Miller-Rodney had intercepted the ball on the Aveley left-flank. He then proceeded to race up the pitch, before sending a delightful cross into the Aveley box. Lewis Manor met the ball with a powerful header, but Jonathan North was able to get down low to save it.

The hosts came close once again in the 37th minute, as Eduino Vaz's free-kick smacked back off Beeney's crossbar, before Luke Coulson came agonisingly close with a free-kick of his own at the other end three minutes later!

So the sides went into the second half evenly matched.

Aveley once again held the initiative and again were denied when Beeney pulled off a superb save to deny Hughes.

Both managers made changes in a bid to break the deadlock and Millers' John Benton and Jalen Jones both came close in quick succession, but it was to be Darts who finished the stronger.

Dartford thought they'd been awarded a penalty in the 75th minute, only for the linesman's opinion change referee Josh Croft's mind but the visitors were beginning to lay siege upon the Aveley goal…

Only an excellent save by North and desperate defending prevented the ball actually crossing the line during a manic goal-mouth scramble with ten minutes remaining.

It looked as if Millers had done enough to earn a point to add to their tally after a fine start to their inaugural Vanarama National League South season but deep in added time Bradbury struck to claim the bridge bragging rights.

Millers have the chance to bounce back quickly with a home game against Hampton and Richmond on Monday.