Tilbury 1, Grays Athletic 0

TILBURY hold the local derby bragging rights after Monday's (6 April) 'El Chavico' at Chadfields where defeat leaves Grays still looking anxiously over their shoulder at the Isthmian North drop zone.

The good news for Blues fans though was that relegation rivals Lowestoft and Takeley also lost while Mildenhall only picked up a point.

In front of an Easter Monday crowd of 520 Tilbury suffered an early blow when Dan Trendall was forced off with an injury after 14 minutes, to be replaced by Issa Sidibe who came on for just his second appearance for Tilbury. 

And he made an instant impact, giving his side the lead two minutes later with his first touch. The attack came down the right-hand side through Tyler Forbes, who burst past the defender before whipping in a cross for Sidibe to slide in and poke the ball past George Marsh.

Grays came close to finding an equaliser when Gabriel Chapps' header was flicked goalward, but Billy Lawlor was down quickly to make the save.

The visitors continued to apply pressure after the break, and almost found their reward, when a corner was headed clear but only as far as Jordan Clark on the edge of the area. The former Docker struck a volley on the swivel that hammered off the crossbar and bounced out of harm's way.

In the 70th minute, Soumen Nandi was introduced for Tilbury and looked to make an instant impact, advancing down the right wing. His cut-back found the late-arriving Kieran Jones, but the eventual shot was wide of the target.

In the dying moments, Grays launched a throw-in into the area, and the ball fell at the feet of Jordan Clark, but he was denied by an incredible save from Lawlor.

Dockers are back in action on Saturday, 11 April when they travel to face Gorleston, while Grays will be hoping to ease their relegation fears with a home derby against Concord Rangers.