AVELEY suffered last minute heartbreak as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the home of newly-crowned champions AFC Hornchurch.

Garrett Kelly cancelled out Connor Hogan’s 11th minute opener, but George Purcell notched the winner in stoppage time to result in the Millers returning to Parkside with no points to show for their efforts.

The Urchins broke the deadlock early on, with Hogan heading home a Purcell corner.

James Webster’s side looked to get back into the Isthmian North encounter, but Tom Richardson saw his strike blocked soon before the break.

Aveley goalkeeper Rhys Madden made a fine save to stop Purcell’s free-kick finding the back of the net two minutes after the interval.

The Millers appealed for a penalty when Richardson appeared to be pulled back, but the referee waved away the claims.

However, Aveley were back on level terms with 71 minutes on the clock.

Kelly’s bullet header found the corner of the net, giving Hornchurch goalkeeper Sam Mott no chance.

However, the champions were to secure all three points thanks to a goal in the first minute of stoppage time.

Hornchurch went on the counter attack, after Aveley had pushed for a winner, and Purcell sent his effort into the bottom corner of the net.

Aveley: Madden, Malton, Sampayo, Witherspoon, Stephenson, Cosson, Kelly, Doyle (Martin 85), Richardson, Walker (Southgate 84), Bourne (Teniola 53)