Aveley 1, Braintree Town 1

AVELEY came from behind to gain a point from Saturday's Essex Vanarama National South derby at Parkside and, in the second half of the match against ten men, may feel they ought to have gone on and won.

The visitors made a very bright start and had already created several chances, including forcing a good save from Jonathan North and Nana Kyei clearing the ball off the line, before they took the lead after just five minutes when Matt Carson shot from the edge of the box and the ball took a deflection on its way into the net.

Millers gradually began to improve and offer threats of their own but they went into the break a goal behind without ever really creating a goalscoring opportunity.

The half was extended for a lengthy head injury to Iron's Joe Grimwood who was also booked for hauling down Alex Hernandez - both incidents that were to prove significant in the second half.

The start of the second stanza was delayed while Grimwood received more treatment, eventually being ordered off the playing surface to get the game underway. When he was ready, he entered play without permission and the ref was left with little alternative but to caution him, and thereby send him off before he was even properly on!

From then on Braintree put men behind the ball and relied on counter attacks, allowing Millers to take the initiative.

They were the dominant side but found it difficult to break down Braintree until, with around 20 minutes to go Tom Stephen's shot was spilled by Iron's keeper and former Blackpool player Jack Sims and Matt Rush reacted quickly to fire the ball home.

Aveley dominated the closing stages but couldn't find a way through, with Rush missing one final clear cut chance to win it when he put the ball over the bar when well placed.

Nevertheless, Millers boss Danny Scopes put on an upbeat face after the match, saying: "We have to go away and reflect, is it two points dropped, or one point gained?

"Were we good enough today, I don't think we were. We were better in the second half.

"They sat in, they were a threat on the counter attack, but I was a bit disappointed with our movement. Matt did brilliantly for the goal.

"But, if you look at it in perspective, after ten games where we are is something we can be really proud of."

Millers are next in action in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup next weekend, when near neighbours Hornchurch are the visitors in a tie that promises much to savour.