AVELEY'S winless run was extended to five games following a 2-0 defeat to Isthmian North table-toppers AFC Hornchurch.

Goals from Matthias Fanimo and Theo Fairweather-Johnson - in either half - was enough for the Urchins to claim all three points at Parkside.

Alex Teniola sent an early effort over the crossbar on the stretch, while Max Bradford - on his first Millers start - sent a long range strike wide.

Robbie Rees just missed the target after impressive footwork gave him an extra yard to get a shot away.

Hornchurch grew into the game and Fanimo clipped the outside of the post after connecting with a Nathan Livings cross on the half hour mark.

But Fanimo - who also cleared the crossbar as the clash approached the interval - broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time.

The former West Ham United trainee beat Aveley goalkeeper Rhys Madden following a swift counter-attack by the visitors.

Kenzer Lee headed over the crossbar for the Urchins after the restart, while the away side should have doubled their advantage on 65 minutes.

Madden and Connor Witherspoon collided, leaving George Purcell with an open goal to aim for.

But the striker somehow directed his effort wide of the target.

Purcell then struck the crossbar with a chipped effort, before Nathan Cooper's header on the rebound was cleared off the goal-line.

Hornchurch made the points safe when Fairweather-Johnson found the back of the net after outmuscling his marker with six minutes remaining.

The result allowed Hornchurch to remain top of the Isthmian North standings, while Aveley are 20th.

Aveley: Madden, Malton, Stephenson, Witherspoon (Woodward 86'), Keizer-Burrows, Berkane, Gordon (Marah 77'), Bradford (Doyle 64'), Teniola, Gard, Rees