EAST Thurrock United emerged with the bragging rights after today's Isthmian North Boxing Day derby at Chadfields against Tilbury.

At the start of the season it was Dockers who made the short journey for the campaign's opening derby and manager John Coventry emerged victorious with a 2-1 win against his old club.

However, Rocks put that 2-1 defeat behind them and in November travelled to Chadfields and knocked Tilbury out of the Essex Senior Cup with a 2-0 victory.

They repeated the journey today and once more came away smiling.

In front of a crowd of 295, Jordan Peart gave the visitors the lead on 29 minutes and eight minutes later Brian Moses netted from the spot to send Rocks in 2-0 up at the break.

David Knight pulled one back, also from the penalty spot, just after the hour but that was as good as it got for Tilbury and East Thurrock took all three points to move to sixth place in the table on the back of a run that has seeen them go 14 matches in all competitions with just one defeat.

Tilbury are now looking anxiously over their shoulders at the drop zone.

Also in the Isthmian North, over at Parkside in Aveley there were worrying moments in what was described as an 'awful' first half for Grays Athletic fans as their team went behind after 23 minutes against struggling Witham Town.

Adam Vyse got the opening goal but the lead lasted just three minutes before Sam Bantick levelled from the penalty spot.

A lacklustre first half was quickly forgotten though as Grays went on a goals spree on the resumption.

Bantick gave the Blues the lead on 47 minutes and a brace from Aron Gordon on 51 and 65 minutes put the outcome beyond doubt.

Roman Campbell, who joined Grays a few days ago from Maldon - having started the season with Tilbury - marked his debut with a goal on 68 minutes and then sub Cheyne Grant marked his arrival at the Blues with a goal on 83 minutes.

It was a day for new faces as Callum Leahy made a winning return to Athletic colours in midfield after re-signing from Brentwood and Campbell wrapped up a 7-1 thumping with the game's last goal a minute from the end of normal time.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, 27)_ Aveley are in Isthmian Premier action at Corinthian Casuals, kick-off 1pm.