AVELEY'S nerves remain on edge as they seek a play-off place in the Isthmian Premier Division.

On Saturday the title was all but claimed by Bishops Stortford, who will now be watching as the Millers take on third-placed Canvey Island on Tuesday.

Anything other than a win for the Islanders will give Hornchurch the title and any reward for fourth-placed Aveley will ensure their place in the play-offs. At the start of yesterday's (Saturday, 15 April) action Millers still had a mathematical chance of the title – and certainly the opportunity to seal a home -play-off place was in their own hands.

But a 1-0 home defeat by Horsham scuppered that. The visitors went ahead after just four minutes through Jack Mazzone and it proved to be the only goal of the game.

So there's lots at stake when Aveley travel to the Movie Starr Stadium in midweek.

The result of the day for local sides came from Grays Athletic who enhanced their hopes of a play-off place with a 4-1 win at Bury Town.

Grays wasted little time in taking charge of the match and they were three up after 22 minutes thanks to goals from Ronnie Winn (2 minutes) and a brace from Callum Watts (14 & 22).

Cruis Nydazayo pulled one back just after half time but Tom stagg wrapped it up for the Blues on 79 minutes.

The win leaves Grays four points clear of Felixstowe anhd Walton United whose match at Witham was postponed.

The Suffolk sides have two matches in hand on Grays, the first of which is on Tuesday when they play host to East Thurrock United. And it is likely they will play the postponed game against Witham on Thursday.

That potential sets up a nerve-wracking final day for the Blues - whose last match is at home to bottom club Hullbridge Sports, while Felixstowe have a home match against Heybridge Swifts who are currently fourth, on 69 points the same as Grays.

While Grays supporters were delighted with their team's showing on saturday, Tilbury fans were morose after a 5-0 drubbing at Wroxham.

The defeat condemns Dockers to a relegation-play off match against a Step Five side at best - and the fear of automatic relegation goes with them into their final match of the regular season against Gorleston on Saturday. A win or draw would ensure they are out of range of Great Wakering Rovers who are three points behind and face a daunting last day at home to AFC Sudbury.

Sudbury are secure in second spot - the title having been clinched by Hastag United's 6-0 thumping of Rovers - but may well have an eye on their play-off match ahead in midweek.

The six goals scored by Hashtag also means Tilbury have a slightly better goal goal difference than Rovers but a win for Grate Wakering and defeat for the Dockers, even by single goal margins, would see Dockers down as they have scored fewer goals than their Essex near neighbours.

It all promises to be a nail-biting Saturday next week and Dockers fans will hope Tilbury can at last beat the jinx that has seen them lose 13 of their home matches to date - with just one win!

East Thurrock, with two matches likely in midweek, can simply relax - and they have the hope of picking up enough points from them to claim a top half finish.