Aveley 0, St Albans 2

CUP games have come quick and fast for Millers in recent weeks and they will have to pick themselves up quickly from Saturday's FA Trophy defeat at the hands of fellow Isthmian Premier St Albans, with National League Gateshead due at Parkside in next weekend's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round.

This was a repeat of the game which started both these clubs Septembers in the league, the clubs couldn't be separated there, and the early exchanges really showed that as neither team could carve open an opportunity to take an early lead or test each other's goalkeepers.

The first chance of the game came for the visitors with Alex Wall volleying wide of the Aveley goal. The Millers had a big chance which they didn't take, Jayden Robinson had a shot from close range which took a deflection which saw it dragged wide of the right-hand post.

Rowan Liburd was next for Aveley to have a chance after a nice exchange with Robinson, but the former saw his effort saved by Norman in the Saints goal.

St Albans had a glorious chance themselves through striker Mather, after good work from Perez-Duah, Mather saw his effort sting the hands of Christian North, making his debut in the Aveley goal.

Mathew wasn't to be denied for long, just before the break he nodded home from close range to give the Saints the lead going into half time.

Into the second half and a dangerous looking ball across the visitors six yard box just couldn't find an Aveley man as St Albans squeezed the ball away from danger.

Aveley continued to have the better of the second half, Chris Harris had an opportunity after some head tennis, but his effort went over the crossbar.

The visiting goalkeeper was called upon with twenty minutes to go, Jaden Brissett forced a great save from Magnus Norman at his near post to keep the visitors ahead.

Aveley had a glorious chance to level with just under ten to play, Elliott Sartorius was in the penalty area but saw his left footed shot go over the crossbar.

The game was sealed for with five to go, a poor pass back to Aveley's keeper North, was latched onto by Leo Sery who had the easiest of opportunities to find the net to double the Saints' lead.

Moments later Aveley looked to have a lifeline as George Saunders tapped into the net, but Sartorius was adjudged to be offside in the build-up.

As the game ticked into stoppage time the visitors could have made it three on a couple of occasions with Aveley throwing everyone forward. Sery had a goal disallowed due to a foul in the build-up, a moment later Sery this time dragged his shot a foot wide of the Aveley right hand post.