Aveley 0, Worthing 3

PERHAPS with next week's FA Trophy last 16 clash at Bromley on their minds, Aveley came out second best in a clash of two in-form sides at Parkside and slipped out of the Vanarama South play-off zone, dropping from fifth to eighth.

And in the end, while defeat at the hands of the second-placed visitors who were on a four-match unbeaten run, was not an ignominious one, Millers will rue to loss of Garrett Kelly who picked up a second yellow when conceding the 90th minute penalty that led to Worthing's third goal.

There was little to pick between the two sides, though in the end the better finishing of the visiting Rebels tipped the issue in their favour.

Aveley, unbeaten in their last six in all competitions, including a win against AFC Fylde in the FA Trophy which has set up next weekend's tie at National league Bromley, had the first real chance and almost paid it pay when Arjanit Krasniqi's free-kick resulted in a finger-tip touch from Worthing keeper Josh Jeffries, pushing the ball onto the bar. Krasniqi blazed the follow up way over.

Worthing had their own set piece opportunity soon after but Ollie Pearce fired wide.

There were few chances at either end as hard work from both teams cancelled each other out but the deadlock was broken on 41 minutes when Joe Felix delivered a fine cross and Rebels' loan signing debutant Tommy Willard tucked it away into the bottom left corner.

The second half played out in a similar fashion, with a cagey start meaning little by way of chances for either side.

Millers' Siju Odelusi struck a fantastic effort from distance midway through the half that went narrowly over the crossbar but it was to be the visitors who grabbed the second goal when, on 68 minutes, Pearce found the back of the net after capitalising on a mistake by Harry Gibbs.

In the dying moments Pearce netted his tenth goal in seven matches from the penalty spot ad Kelly saw red for a final disappointment.

Aveley manager Danny Scopes was in reflective mood afterwards and said: "We dealt with them pretty well in the first half but in the end they had a lot of possession with the way they play and it became a tough afternoon.

"Give them credit, they deserved their win and we have to go away and learn from it. We will not get too disheartened by the defeat and will move on."

Before their FA Trophy journey continues, Millers have another cup engagement on Monday (5 February) when they are in BBC Essex Senior Cup action at the Len Salmons Stadium Pitsea where they take on Hashtag United in a quarter-final tie.