Aveley 1. Dartford 1

A VOLLEY from Jayden Gipson salvaged a late point for Aveley at home to Dartford in today's (Saturday, 20 September) Isthmian Premier derby which saw both sides reduced to ten men for two thirds of the encounter.

The encounter between two Thames rivals separated by just a couple of miles had everything: late drama, goals, red cards - Parkside continues to be the place this season to not leave early with another late goal scored.

In six Aveley home league games this season, there have been six goals scored from the 80th minute onwards.

Both teams had chances in the early exchanges: Ryan Henshaw had a header deflected and flicked the crossbar for Aveley. Dartford had their own chance a minute later with Eddie Dsane having his one-on-one chance brilliantly saved by Joe Wright.

Fifteen minutes in and Aveley hit the crossbar again: Henshaw connected with an Ollie Peters corner but despite beating the keeper, his header hit the top right-hand corner of the crossbar and went over.

On the half hour the game burst into life.

Albie Armin fouled Eddie Dsane, resulting in a red card. former-Aveley player Ikechi Eze reacted to the foul and leaped into Armin. The ref adjudged him to have made contact with his hands and knee to the face, which also resulted in a red card. Both sides were down to ten men.

The last action of the first half saw a strick from Dartford's Callum Jones crack the Aveley woodwork. Jones picked it up after work from Olly Box, with the former striking at goal, but he was denied by the Aveley left-hand post.

Just past the hour mark and the game got its opening goal. Gipson initially blocked a Box effort; it was recycled and played back into Jones, who fired his shot in at the Aveley near post to give the Darts a derby day lead.

The hosts had a couple of chances to pull level: Suley Zuhdu found himself with a chance on the edge of the area but fired his effort over the crossbar. Zuhdu then turned provider as he laid it back to Alejandro Machado, who put his effort over the crossbar from six yards out.

Millers made changes with four forwards on the pitch, and with three minutes to go, it was a defender who pulled Aveley level with a piece of sheer magic.

A long throw into the box landed to Gipson, who chipped the ball up for himself and volleyed the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Aveley are next in action on Satuday, 27 September when they travel to Halesowen Town in the FA Cup third qualifying round.