Thurrock 1, Romford 2

THURROCK'S title ambitions look to be out of reach after a second defeat in three days.

A resurgent Romford side won their eighth game on the spin at Ship Lane in the landlords vs tenants battle on Tuesday night.

The latest defeat for Thurrock followed another 2-1 loss at the hands of Waltham Abbey on Saturday and leaves Mark Stimson's side 16 points off leaders VCD Athletic, albeit with two games in hand.

But favourites Witham Town sit second and are 14 points clear of Thurrock, having played a game less.

Thurrock remain very well placed to bag a play-off spot, though, and have eight games to secure a place in the top five - starting with a visit by Dereham Town on Saturday.

It was former Fleet striker Ryan Imbert who scored the goals for Boro in Tuesday night's defeat.

He opened the scoring in the 19th minute, going round Fleet stopper Andy Walker before slotting the ball home.

Six minutes before half time, David Knight set up Brad Warner, who shot across Atu Ngoy.

In an even second half, which saw chances fall to both sides, Imbert scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute, tapping home after the ball was played in from the right.

Thurrock: Walker; Clark, Onyemah, Fleming, S Smith; Clark, Spence, Smith, Warner; Wall, Knight.