AVELEY manager Justin Gardner says his side played a “faultless” match as they ended Tilbury’s 18-game unbeaten run in the Ryman One North on Saturday.

The Millers won 2-0 at Chadfields, thanks to goals from Abs Seymour and Arian Retkoceri, as they recorded their first win in five league matches to secure some much-needed points.

Gardner’s side are down in 13th after the result, 14 points off the play-off places. A top five finish was the goal at the start of the season and Gardner said his team made positive strides on Saturday as they look to get back involved in the promotion scrap.

Although he believes neighbours Tilbury are better-placed to make the grade this term, he said he side were worthy winners on Saturday.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Tilbury,” said Gardner. “They were excellent on Saturday as they have been this season but we were faultless. We played a high-pressing game and kept the tempo up throughout the match.

“In all honesty I am not sure we could play like that every week. I would like to say a performance like this has been just around the corner for a while but I don’t believe it has. We have looked subdued in recent weeks but the players really rose to the occasion at the weekend and we must now look to replicate it.

“I really hope Tilbury do finish in the top five and I believe that they will as well,” added Gardner. “I would swap positions with them and it is a good set-up over there. Good luck to them.”

The match was Aveley’s first since December 28, as rain halted their progress at the start of 2016. But Gardner said he thinks the break has done his players some good, as their new training methods paid dividends against the Dockers.

“It was our first game in a while but, in a way, I think that was a blessing in disguise,” he said. “We have been having three training sessions a week in that time and it has really paid off.

“The team dominated possession on Saturday and we have tinkered with the formation a bit so I am pleased it came off. We were letting other teams have the ball and now we are the ones who want to control the play.”

One man who impressed on Saturday was Liam Nash. The striker has 20 goals to his name so far this season and was handed the armband against the Dockers, producing a fine display at the head of the line.

And Gardner said he was impressed with Nash.

“Billy Holland is away on his honeymoon at the moment and Liam Nash has been in my ear for a while now about leading the team,” said Gardner. “It was a gamble as he is young and he can be very demanding of his team-mates at times, but he was very good on Saturday.

“He will keep the armband until Billy is back, and I hope the results follow as well.”