GRAYS Athletic remain rooted to the Ryman Premier League after they went down 3-1 to Met Police on Saturday.

Blues needed points against the fellow strugglers as they look to bridge the ever-increasing gap between themselves and those outside the drop zone.

Met Police took the lead five minutes before half-time, after what had been a low-key start.

A shot from Lloyd Macklin came in and went underneath goalkeeper Amadou Tangara, with the ball touched in on the goal-line although the ball may have already crossed the line.

Met Police saw a penalty appeal overturned as Grays struggled to get into the Met half and create clear-cut opportunities.

But it was the away side that drew next blood after a handball in the penalty area saw a penalty awarded.

Adeyinka Cole sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-1 with 11 minutes to go.

But they couldn’t hold out as Ola Sogbanmu made it 2-1 with just six minutes remaining.

A free-kick wasn’t dealt with and Sogbanmu scored.

It was to get worse for Grays, with player/ manager Jamie Stuart sent off for a second yellow card between the second and third goal.

Charlie Collins netted in the closing stages to complete the scoring.

The result of the weekend arguably came at Mill Field as Aveley dispatched league leaders Maldon & Tiptree 3-0, thanks to Jeremiah Maja’s wonderful hat-trick.

The Millers went ahead in the Ryman North clash after 15 minutes through Maja and it was a composed finish from the front man.

Dan Odomo fed the forward and the striker took the ball into the penalty area and found the corner.

Former Aveley captain Liam Nash was proving a livewire with Lamar Johnson having a fine game between the posts for the hosts.

But it was Maja making the headlines. He made it 2-0 10 minutes before the interval, prodding home after a good flick from Joe Clarke.

Maja completed his treble seven minutes into the half, following a fine pass from Michael Toner and it was another neat finish.

A flurry of yellow cards followed but Johnson was not to be beaten as Terry Spillane took an excellent victory against his former club.

It was another afternoon of frustration for Thurrock as their inconsistent form came back to bite them against Brightlingsea Regent.

Mark Stimson’s men lost 1-0 in a battle of two sides expected to be in and around the play-offs come the end of the season.

And it was a stroke of misfortune that decided the match as the ball bounced off goalkeeper Bobby Mason and into the net.

Ronnie Winn was sent off in the final 10 minutes as the match ended 1-0.

Tilbury went comfortable winners against struggling Brentwood Town, 3-0 winners.

Goalless at the break, the Dockers were rampant at the start of the second period.

Lewis Jaggs, Jack Barham and Lewis Francis scored in 21 second-half minutes to complete and excellent afternoon.