Aveley 1, Tooting & Mitcham United 3 RYMAN PREMIER: Charlie French’s double helped Tooting & Mitcham to a vital victory over fellow relegation strugglers Aveley.

The Terrors opened the scoring with 17 minutes on the clock when Steve Ferguson’s right wing cross found the unmarked French in the box and he headed past home keeper Adam Rafis.

Debutant Kurtis Spencer then gave away a penalty after bringing down French in the box, and despite Rafis guessing the right way he was unable to reach the effort and French doubled his and Tooting’s lead 10 minutes later.

For the hosts, Sean Bonnett-Johnson’s shot was cleared off the line by Ronnie Fletcher as they went in search of a way back into the encounter and before the half was out Bonnett-Johnson saw another effort saved by keeper Jack Giddens.

Millers boss Lee Hodges made a trio of substitutions but it proved to no avail as the Terrors virtually sealed the three points when French turned provider for Ferguson who was again left unmarked in the box and he shot low into the net after 64 minutes.

There was a late glimmer of hope for Aveley as David Knight scored from the spot seven minutes from time after Max Noble handled in the area, and despite seeing another penalty appeal turned down late on in the match, Tooting had done enough to condemn the Millers to their 16th league loss of the season.

Aveley: Adam Rafis, Andre Gumbs (Danny Smith 46), Sam Holloway, Spencer Harrison, Kurtis Spencer, Joe Keith, Sheldon Sellars, Sean Bonnett-Johnson, Matt Marshall (Daniel Francis 54), David Knight, Reece Morgan (Joe Villiers 63).