Aveley 2, Carshalton Athletic 1

MILLERS came through Saturday's (24 October) testing FA Trophy against fellow Isthmian Premier side Carshalton thanks to goals in each half from Gio Palmer and Harry Critchley.

There was probably a touch of fortune about Palmer's opener which came after just nine minutes. The wide man was set loose on the left wing by Ellis Bates and he swung over what looked like a cross but it deceived visiting keeper Ben Dudzinski and entered the net off a post.

The Robins had a half chance to equalise on 20 minutes from a free kick, which led to a scramble before Matt Yates' effort was saved by George Miller.

Millers felt they should have been awarded a penalty just before the break when Critchley was brought down but their appeals were waved away, leaving the hosts with a single goal lead at the break.

The second half started a bit like the first and there was a similar outcome when Critchley rose following a corner to head home Millers' second goal seven minutes after the resumption.

The rest of the half was nip and tuck with few chances on a wet and windy afternoon.

Carshalton came closest to scoring midway through the half when Tope Fadahunsi's effort came back off the woodwork but when the final goal of the game did come from Seydil Toure's header, four minutes into added time, it was too little too late for Athletic and Millers saw out the remaining moments.

Millers have a restful week before playing host to high-flying Dartford in next weekend's Isthmian Premier Thames derby at Parkside