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Tilbury 0, Great Wakering Rovers 2

TILBURY succumbed to south Essex rivals Rovers in a lack-lustre Ryman Division One North derby where the main talking point was the visitors' controversial opening goal.

It came 59 minutes into a match that had largely been dominated by Dockers, though they created few real chances and always looked likely to be caught out by Rovers' speedy counter-attacking.

And so it proved when Eliott Gresham burst through just before the hour mark, being knocked off the ball just outside the box by the challenge of Tilbury's returning captain Paul King.

King and his team-mates clearly believed an indirect free kick had been given for obstruction and with Gravesend referee David Buck's arm raised it seemed a reasonable presumption.

However, when former Docker Danny Pitts drove the ball untouched into the net Tilbury were aghast to see Mr Buck turning away having awarded the goal. Their protests were vehement and King picked up his seventh caution of the season, but the official wasn't of a mind to reverse his decision.

Later the ref said he was merely indicating which way the kick was to be taken. Hardly a neccesity with the Tilbury wall lined up!

Up to that point the odds had slightly favoured Tilbury, who made two changes from Saturday's defeat by Northwood. King returned to his place in the back four while Richard Wray replaced Paul Agu in goal.

Neither were troubled in a first half when Dockers held the edge but they fell short in front of goal. There was plenty of hard work and endeavour but little invention to prise open a resolute home defence, with keeper Louis Green rarely troubled.

The pick of what half chances were created were Kurt Smith's eighth minute strike that was just wide of the mark, a crossbar skimming pile-driver that belied the diminutive size of its creator Andre Humphreys and a brave diving header from Kurt Smith just before half time when he got top the ball before Nicky Beale's boot put could only guide James Dwyer's cross wide of the target.

Rovers stepped up a notch after the restart and their more threatening intent was signalled by Gresham's 51st minute challenge on Wray that earned him a booking and with Martin Tuohy and Neil Richmond looking lively up front an away goal began to look on the cards.

When it came Tilbury were unable to lift themselves and the match drifted away from them on 77 minutes when Danny Smith's miscued clearance fell to Tuohy who drilled the half volley past Wray.

10:07pm Tuesday 22nd January 2008

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