Isthmian round-up: Grays Athletic lose advantage, as Aveley and Thurrock lose again

Having shipped late goals against Haringey Borough last time out in the Isthmian North, it was a case of deja-vu for Blues.

An Adeyinka Cole brace in the first-half had put Grays in control, with 21st-placed Cheshunt reeling at the break.

But a red card for captain and goalkeeper Lamar Johnson saw the game change. Having picked up a yellow card for conceding a penalty, Johnson was then dismissed after a resulting melee with defender Ryan Mahal donning the goalkeeper’s gloves.

Jason Hallett scored the penalty on the hour and, after a miss by Grays' Callum Ibe which would have won the match, the forward struck again.

Hallett headed home to make it 2-2, with Mahal making a smart late save to ensure Grays took something away from the encounter.

Aveley were beaten 3-1 by Maldon & Tiptree as James Webster’s search for a first win in charge went on.

Maldon took an early lead through Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, curling neatly beyond the dive of Rhys Madden and into the corner.

The hosts were in charge, with a goal-line clearance and a disallowed goal following in the next 10 minutes.

Jordan Watson had Aveley’s best chance of the half, his strike excellently cleared off the line.

But Johnville Renee made it 2-0 just shy of the hour, before Kieran Bailey wrapped up the result late on with a fine individual goal.

George Doyle scored a terrific 50-yard effort to give the Millers something to cheer but it was all over by then.

Thurrock’s Ryman Premier League campaign continued to stutter as promotion hopefuls Dulwich Hamlet claimed a single goal win at Ship Lane.

There was not a lot in the first-half, Dennis Oli coming close on more than one occasion for the hosts.

The only goal of the game came five minutes before half-time. A fine drive by Reise Allassani beat the dive of Oshane Brown to put Dulwich ahead.

Dulwich hit the post early in the second-half but, despite half chances for both teams, there were to be no more goals.