Wroxham 1, Tilbury 0

TILBURY'S hopes of a festive revival fell flat at a boggy Trafford Park on Saturday (21 December) where the struggling hosts belied an indifferent first half of the season to continue Dockers' disappointing December - compounded by a late penalty miss.

Two match postponements, exits from two cup and a home defeat at the hands of title-chasers Bury have meant little pre-Christmas cheer - though Thursday's (26 December - 1pm kick-off) Boxing Day derby with Grays does bring something for Tilbury supporters to look forward to.

Saturday's clash against the Yachtsmen saw Tilbury make a decent start but it was to be the hosts who opened the scoring on 34 minutes when Ryan Miles' cross elduded his teammate Craig Parker but Josh Harvey made amends with an acrobatic acrobatic finish.

Dockers had a chance to go in level at the break but, after being found by Macauley Joynes' cross, Dan Trendall fired just wide.

And the ball was just inches the wrong side of the Wroxham goal six minutes into the second half when Lindell Stewart set up Sam Bantick, but his shot was just over.

Dockers continued to press for an equaliser and on 68 minutes Bantick was played through and, though he was challenged, the ball broke kindly for sub Kieran Jones but he just couldn't get the ball under control and the moment was lost.

However, the moment did appear to have arrived with nine minutes to go when Jamie Reynolds was fouled in the box, but Bantick struck the subsequent penalty against the woodwork.

The Norfolk side were able to hold on for three valuable points in their battle against relegation, leaving Dockers to rue their luck on a long journey home.