THURROCK produced a terrific late fight back to claim victory against borough rivals Aveley last night.

Two goals in the last 15 minutes at Ship Lane saw the home team claim a victory that looked very unlikely after Ross Wall had scored his eighth goal of the season to put Aveley in front.

Both sides came into the match with patchy form – Fleet having struggled for consistency since the start of the season and Aveley slipping down the league after four straight defeats.

This was also the first league match between the two sides and the fire was stoked before the game when Thurrock chairman Tommy South said, "we have no relationship with Aveley” with Millers club secretary, Craig Johnson, saying he was disappointed with the comments.

Thurrock started the game on the front foot with Jordan Clark and Lewwes Spence in the thick of the action for the home side.

However, their possession did not amount to chances with the best chance of the first half coming after 30 minutes when Charlie Stimson lashed over from 20 yards with ‘keeper Giddens beaten.

Aveley could have equalised through Sam Holloway’s freekick but Reece Ottley palmed the ball to safety.

The second half exploded into life when Aveley took the lead three minutes after the break. Rashid Kamara found himself with the ball 30 yards from goal and his delicate ball between defender and full back found the run of Ross Wall who slotted in at the near post.

Aveley kept attacking with Brian Okwera pulling the strings in midfield although Thurrock looked dangerous on the counter with Jordan Clark causing Kallon Nurudeen all sorts of problems on the right flank.

It was Clark’s persistence that brought the equaliser. With 15 minutes to go a clearance from Millers skipper Jay Leader cannoned off Clark and he had the simple job of squaring for substitute Lewis Perkins to equalise.

With Aveley at sixes and sevens Thurrock struck the decisive blow. A set piece was not cleared and deflected into the sky right under Giddens crossbar. Under pressure from Stimson the ‘keeper was only able to punch the ball into the striker which went into the net.

Thurrock could have added to their lead late on but saw the game out to claim local bragging rights and, more importantly, the three points.

The result sees Thurrock climb above Aveley to 9th in the league.

Elsewhere in the league Tilbury beat Erith & Belvedere 2-0 with Danny Francis grabbing both goals.

In the Ryman Premier Division East Thurrock lost in the dying moments to Lowestoft Town.