Dartford 2, Aveley 0

MILLERS' 16 match run without defeat and their season-long unbeaten away record both fell in Saturday's (17 January) Isthmian Premier 'Battle of the Bridge' in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 at the Princes Park Stadium.

Aveley manager boss Brett Munyard paid full credit to the victors, saying they deserved their win which was based on a solid defensive performance and 'they took their chances and we didn't, missing a couple of open goals'.

He was also somewhat critical of match referee Harry Phillips, who sent Millers' Harry Critchley off late in the match when his side were still just one behind - and he said he would 'like to see at the assessor's match report'.

In total there were 11 yellow cards, five for Darts and six for Millers - plus Critchley's straight red.

The visitors made a bright start but found themselves a goal down after nine minutes. Dartford took a quick free-kick and laid the ball back to Denzelle Olopade whose strike from the edge of the area crept inside the post.

It was a physically intense battle, with Millers players and fans thinking they were getting something of a rough deal from Mr Phillips.

Darts might have added to their lead on 24 minutes when the ball was speedily sent down the right flank, exposing Millers keeper Rylee Mitchell but Olly Box missed something of a sitter at the back post.

Aveley were forced into a change two minutes later when Louie Kudiabor suffered a shoulder injury when he fell and though he tried, he couldn't play on. Toby Aromolaran came on and he was impressive throughout.

Millers didn't get a serious effort on target until Matty Johnson's strike on the half hour but Jonny Henly dealt with it comfortably.

The visitors had the better of the closing stages of the half but were unable to force a way through and they went into the break a goal behind.

And they started the second half well too, Ryan Charles seeing a shot blocked and then Ryan Henshaw's header came back off the crossbar when it looked odds on a goal.

Millers kept pressing and they should have been level on 66 minutes when George Saunders squared the ball to Chris Harris three yards out - but with an open goal in front of him he fired wide.

Chris Harris somehow misses getting an equaliser from close range. Picture by Kicks and Clicks.

Fourteen minutes from time Aveley were reduced to ten men when Harry Critchley was dismissed in what most among the away camp considered another dubious decision.

Four minutes later Joe Tennant added a second for the hosts with a header and it seemed game over, but Aveley fought to the last - which included ten minutes of added time.

As they threw everything forward the ten men saw the ball scrambled off the line and off the bar and then Aromolaran's header scraped the bar.

But it wasn't to be and the impressive unbeaten runs were ended.

Manager Brett Munyard's post match verdict:-

Aveley get the chance to bounce back quickly as they have another Isthmian Premier Thameside derby, hosting Welling United at Parkside on Monday (19 January) night.