East Thurrock 3,

Thamesmead 1

NON LEAGUE: EAST Thurrock’s battle against the drop received a three-point boost with victory over relegation rivals Thamesmead on Saturday.

The 3-1 win at Rookery Hill lifted John Coventry’s side out of the bottom four at the expense of their visitors, who dropped a place to fourth from bottom on goal difference.

Rocks capitalised after visiting goalkeeper Sam Mott was sent off but there were no complaints from the East Thurrock faithful as Rocks made it back-to-back wins.

Last Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Kingstonian ended a 14-game run without a victory and Rocks will hope to follow it up with success at home to Wingate & Finchley on Saturday.

This Saturday’s match sprung into life as man of the match Mitchell Pinnock beat a defender and put in a brilliant cross.

Goal ace Sam Higgins didn’t need asking twicee and slammed the ball home, although some fans felt Thamesmead’s Ashley Probets may have had contact on the ball.

Mott was handed a red card for a foul on Higgins and recent midfield signing Nicky Symons rifled home a 20-yard free kick into the bottom corner, beating substitute goalkeeper Rob Budd.

Substitute Neil Richmond wrapped things up a minute later after latching onto a Pinnock cross and smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Junior Baker scored from a counter attack late on but it was little more than a consolation for Thamesmead as Rocks leapfrogged them in the table.