Tilbury 1, AFC Dunstable 0

TILBURY'S first step on this year's road to Wembley was a successful one, with Darren Phillips' goal enough to see off the challenge of Southern League Central Division One Dunstable in Saturday's (16 August) FA Cup preliminary round tie.

The opening stages were even, with few chances.

The first significant opportunity came on 21 minutes when a Dockers long ball forward was flicked on by Phillips and Oli Spooner charged through the middle. He was tackled and the ball fell for Dan Trendall but his effort was blocked at the expense of a corner. The resulting set piece was sent towards Phillips but his header was saved

At the other end, Talibeh Jallow won  the ball high up the pitch and tries his luck from distance. Dockers stopper Harry Fairs got down well to make the save but the ball fell to George Joyce who sent the rebound wide.

The deadlock was broken on 40 minutes when brilliant work by Medo Konte stopped a quick counterattack before he found Max Appauh on the right wing. His delivery was towards the back post and Phillips was on hand to fire his header home.

Dockers spent much of the second half in the ascendancy but though they twice had the ball in the net, both were ruled out for infringements.

However, in the end that didn't matter and Dockers went through to Monday's draw.