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ZZZZZZ! John Lawrence was looking forward to a good night's sleep at last.

Ilford 1, Tilbury 2

STRIKER Kurt Smith had hit 14 Ryman Division One North goals before Tuesday evening's dour encounter at a sodden Cricklefield Stadium but none might prove as important as the injury time winner he forced home to earn Dockers their first league victory since September.

In simple footballing parlance this match was a genuine six-pointer' with both teams facing the spectre of relegation and it was Tilbury's battling spirit that saw them through for three points that delighted manager John Lawrence who left the ground looking forward to a good night's sleep at last.

He said: "I thought we deserved the win and we should have put the game away in the first half but once again we didn't take the chances that we created, though we didn't get much help once again from the officials.

"However, the lads stuck at it and we came through. We've developed the habit of doing well in the second half of games, we went someway towards doing it for 90 minutes tonight but it's something on which we've still got a lot of work to do.

"Having said that, I'm delighted and for once I'll be able to sleep well!"

Lawrence's reference to the match officials reflected a number of contentious decisions and some unpunished physical play from the home side, with most criticism being directed at the ref's decision to award a free kick to Tilbury, moments after Kurt Smith had ridden a foul tackle and smashed the ball into the net.

"The ref started to play advantage then hauls it back after we scored. Where's the logic in that?" said Lawrence, who believes the Dockers get more than their fair share of poor decisions.

But he was unstinting in his praise of the 19-year-old striker, who was denied a legitimate opening goal but kept his nerve to strike the winner.

"Kurt is without doubt one of the most genuine, honest players I have ever worked with. He earns the right to score goals because of his work-rate. He's a genuine prospect and someone who has shown great commitment to Tilbury football club."

Smith's winner capped a night when Tilbury looked the better of two sides who showed why they are struggling. On a muddy, spoiler of a pitch there was little entertainment to behold, but plenty of effort.

Tilbury were marginally dominant throughout the night, particularly in the first half when they bossed much of the play, with Andre Humphreys having one of his more threatening performances.

Ironically though, it was wide play from Dockers newcomer James Dwyer that created the opening goal on 32 minutes, moments after Smith's effort had been controversially ruled out. He got to the by-line and cut the ball back to leave Luke Stanley with the task of tapping home close range.

The goal separated the sides at half time and though Ilford stepped up a gear on the restart Tilbury, who were well-marshalled at the back by captain Paul King, dealt with all that was thrown at them until a dreadful blunder by goalkeeper Paul Agu with 11 minutes remaining.

There looked little danger when Ilford prodded a ball forward and it looked odds on that Agu, back in the side in place of Danny Spendlove, would just clean up behind his defence. The ball took an unkind bounce but the diminutive keeper still had plenty of opportunity to gather it. Instead, he hesitated and Danny Downer, brother of Grays Athletic's Simon, nipped in to force the ball home. Tilbury players were staggered and appealed to the referee for some mysterious offence that no-one, least of all the official, had any comprehension of.

Lesser teams might have buckled with that disappointment and for a few minutes they wilted.

But in the closing stages they forged forward and Lee Springer might have won it in the last minute when he rounded former Dockers keeper James Marrable but with the goal at his mercy he rolled the ball wide of the post.

It looked a costly miss but Kurt Smith was determined to have the last word and, when Jay Taylor launched the ball forward behind the back four he used his pace to race clear and though Marrable attempted to bring him down as he was rounded, Smith staggered, kept upright like the honest player he is, and was able to smash the ball into the net to spark delirious, and deserved, celebrations.

Lawrence, who saw competent performances from newcomers Sam Groombridge, Luke Purcell and Dwyer, will hope the victory lifts his side's confidence, particularly with home games against Northwood and Great Wakering coming up over the next week.

Tilbury: Paul Agu, Danny Smith, Jay Taylor, Gbenga Sonuga, Paul King, Sam Groombridge (Luke Purcell), Andre Humphry, Danny O'Connor, Kurt Smith, Luke Stanley, James Dwyer (Lee Springer).

Ryman Division One North Up to and inc Jan 16

12:24am Thursday 17th January 2008

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