Tonbridge Angels 1, Aveley 1

AVELEY took a point from out-of-form Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday (21 November) evening and the Millers stay second in the Vanarama National League South, though three teams below have a game in hand.

It was a lively start at Longmead Stadium and Tonbridge caused problems for the Millers throught the first half.

Goalkeeper Jonathan North, who has been bang-in form for Aveley, stepped up again. In the 12th minute, he denied Jordan Higgs' effort from the edge of the area with a stunning diving save.

North continued to have a busy half and the best of his saves came in the 28th minute. Lewis Gard jabbed the ball toward the bottom right corner of the goal, and North somehow saved it.

North and his backline most likely wanted the half to end as soon as possible, but they're now glad it didn't.

Aveley scored in the 45th minute, Kai Brown was fouled in the penalty area after he tried to shoot. Siju Odelusi stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make Millers unlikely leaders at half-time.

The second half started much like the first, with Tonbridge building momentum. Angels finally got their breakthrough as Ben Swift converted his free header from Sean Shields' corner kick in the 66th minute. It had been coming.

The Millers had been doing so well to keep Tonbridge out. But in the 95th minute, they were nearly the architects of their own downfall. Aveley couldn't hold onto the ball, they kept giving it away, handing Tonbridge chances.

Speaking on Aveley's attacking threat, Manager Danny Scopes said: "We've got to try and improve in the final third, in terms of keeping the ball and moving the ball quickly".

The Millers travel to Dorset on Saturday (25 November) to face Weymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium. Weymouth have been out of form but did pick up three points against relegation candidate Truro City recently.