Aveley 0, Carshalton Athletic 0

DESPITE the disappointment of being held by battling Carshalton in the final Isthmian premier match of the regular season at Parkside, Aveley go into the final day knowing that they have a home semi-final play-off ahead – and the very real possibility of a hosting the finale if they make it though.

Millers sit in second spot, ahead of neighbours on goal difference with both on 81 points. Brett Munyard's side have a four-goal advantage over Billericay and a win at 16^th placed Wingate and Finchley next week should see them secure the runners-up spot. Town go to 15^th-placed Welling United for their last regular season fixture.

On Saturday (18 April) Millers knew they would face a side fighting hard against relegation who would be tough to break down – and so it proved.

There an even start to proceedings at Parkside. Both sides settled into the contest with good spells of possession, but neither created anything clear-cut early on.

Athletic's Tolu Ladapo looked dangerous on the left-hand side and had the first shot on goal after 20 minutes. He drove forward and cut inside onto his right foot, but his low, curling effort lacked power and was comfortably held by Jonathan North.

The visitors then had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring in the 36th minute. After winning a throw-in on the right-hand side, Denzel Akyeampong reacted quickly to take it, launching the ball over the Aveley defence. Nathan Young-Coombes ran onto the delivery and struck it sweetly, but his effort flashed just over the crossbar.

From the resulting goal kick, North slipped while attempting to take it and required lengthy treatment from the physio. It appeared the hosts' number one might have to be substituted, but he continued, albeit moving gingerly for the remainder of the contest.

Despite that setback, North was called into action again in the 41st minute. He made an initial save before Nathan Young-Coombes' mishit shot fell to Tommy Bradford, but the Robins captain was unable to direct the ball goalwards, allowing Aveley to clear their lines.

Aveley began the second half strongly and were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 52nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Ollie Peters was brought down in the box. Peters took the spot-kick himself, striking it low to Hubert Graczyk's right, but the Carshalton goalkeeper guessed correctly and pushed the ball away to keep the score level.

Hubert Graczyk saved Ollie Peters' penalty

Carshalton quickly broke on the counter-attack following the penalty save and nearly made the hosts pay. The ball fell kindly to Denzel Akyeampong around 18 yards out, and the former Torquay man rifled a shot that beat North but crashed against the crossbar before being cleared.

On 63 minutes, Fletcher Hubbard went close for the hosts. The 20-year-old created space for himself with clever footwork but ultimately fired his shot over the bar.

Aveley began to apply more pressure and went close in the 70th minute. Substitute Jesse Nwabueze did well to get a shot away, but it drifted over the crossbar. Two minutes later, the hosts threatened again after good link-up play in midfield. Peters created space for a shot, but his effort lacked power and was gathered comfortably by Graczyk.

Brett Munyard's post-match verdict:

Carshalton continued to create chances of their own and came close in the 75th minute. A long throw from Denzel Akyeampong on the right-hand side reached substitute Charlie George, but he snatched at the opportunity and his effort flashed wide of the post.

Aveley then had two big chances to break the deadlock. Substitute Toby Aromolaran raced through one-on-one with Graczyk, but the Robins keeper reacted well to close down the angle and saved with his feet, conceding a corner. Graczyk was called into action again in the 87th minute when Nwabueze got into a good position and curled a low effort towards goal, but the goalkeeper pushed it away to preserve his clean sheet.

Despite sustained pressure from the hosts in the final stages Millers were unable to break the deadlock.