Tilbury 0, Brentwood Town 1

TUESDAY'S clash at Chadfields between two of the Isthmian North promotion contenders was a hard-fought clash decided by a late goal from the visitors' in-form striker Daniel Ogunleye - reportedly the target of several senior clubs.

His 85th minute goal against Dockers was the 23-year-old striker's 30th in all competitions this season and keeps his side in title contention.

Tilbury, however, slipped outside the top five and will hope to bounce back with a home win against tenth-placed Heybridge Swifts on Saturday.

Dockers were the first to have a significant strike at goal on Tuesday (4 February) when, after ten minutes, a headed clearance fell to Cameron Brodie and the Dockers defender struck a first time volley that went just past the woodwork.

At the other end, on 23 minutes, Brentwood's Lee Noble - a former Docker - forced a fine save from George Marsh with a first time strike that the Tilbury keeper did well to tip over the bar.

Marsh was to prove Dockers' saviour again just after the half hour when he denied Bena Vaivada who was set free by an incisive through ball.

The home keeper completed a hat-trick of fine stops moments before half time, this time making a near post save following a Brentwood corner.

Tilbury suffered a blow in the early stages of the second half when striker Alex Hernandez was injured, being replaced by Dan Trendall whose involvement was then cut short after 15 minutes when he too picked an injury. He was replaced by Olly Sotoyinbo.

Jordan Clark saw an effort flash by the Brentwood goal but it was to be the visitors' day as Ogunleye brushed off a challenge from Jack McQueen and ran through on goal, carefully slipping the ball past the oncoming Marsh.

Dockers strove hard in the final moments to get back on terms, but it wasn't to be and disappointment was compounded by wins elsewhere for promotion rivals Witham, Walthamstow and Brightlingsea that saw Tilbury slip several places.