St Albans City 0, Aveley 1

MILLERS continue to challenge at the head of the Vanarama National League South after Saturday's (28 October) win at Saints.

The omens were good after Matt Rush clipped a curling shot against the St Albans crossbas just 15 seconds from the kick-off.

After surviving a number of scares in their own box Aveley had a great chance to take the lead when home keeper Sam Bentley somewhat unnecessarily clipped the foot of Charlee Hughes on the edge of the box as the ball was going away from goal but he made amends, saving Siju Odelusi's penalty.

Ibby Akanbi then spurned a great chance to give Saints the lead five minutes before half time when he raced on to a backpass from from Siju to keeper Jonathan North. He beat Jalen Jones to the ball but the Aveley defender's physical presence was just enough to put the striker off and he clipped his effort past the onrushing North but it went wide of the upright.

The deadlock was broken on 65 minutes when Bentley could only parry a shot from Michael Oluwadara Dada-Anité and Hernandez was on hand to react quickest and place the ball into the back of the net.

Chances came and went at both ends and Millers had to withstand a big rally from Saints through five minutes of added time but they held firm for the win, which was a second successive victory on the road following the triumph at Havant and the three points took them to second place.

Next up is a Thameside Trophy clash home to Concord Rangers on Tuesday.