Ilford 2, Aveley 2

AVELEY earned an FA Trophy replay at Mill Field on Wednesday evening after Saturday's draw at near neighbours Ilford, but it was a match they could and probably won at the first attempt.

They led twice and then were denied what appeared to be a last minute winner. Millers created a large number of chances in the match and will hope they can produce some sharper finishes when the sides meet again at Mill Field next Wednesday.

The visitors could have made an early impact when a long throw found Ainsley Gasper's head but he put it wide at far post.

Rjght winger Craig Johnston's cross then found Jay Leader 20 yards out but he headed over the bar Another chance came and went on ten minutes when Shahed Ahmed's left side corner was headed on by Gasper but Ilford defender Ricky Hayles cleared.

On 24 minutes Ahmed's through ball found Imbert on-one-on one with Ilford keeper James Marrable, a previous borough player with East Thurrock and Tilbury, but he put it wide.

An error on 28 minutes by Marrable saw the ball fall to Imbert he didn't get a strong enough boot to it and Dave McCarthy cleared off the line

Ilford's first chance of note on 32 came when found Matt West was picked out with a cross from the left but keeper Ronnie Wooster saved his strong header o the line.

They came close again on 38 minutes when another cross found Clement Oragbade but he shot wide at far post.

Aveley took the lead on 42 minutes when Leader 's through ball reached Imbert who beat off Carl Bailey's challenge and he ran around Marrable to put the ball into an empty net.

Three minutes later Ahmed's 25 yard volley was well held by Marrable and it looked as if Millers would finish the half in front.

However in the last of five added minutes after a series of injuries, Ilford got an equaliser when Gasper miss-kicked a clearance which span out to Carl Bailey who fired home a first time effort inside Wooster's near post.

Aveley made a bright start to the second half and within a minute Johnston tested Marrable at his near post, though at the other end Wooster did well to keep out Sam Carter's 20 yard volley. It wasn't long befoe Milers regained the lead when Bailey handballed in the box, Leader converting the spot kick with Bailey booked for his protest.

The game had picked up tempo and on 53 minutes Johnston's cross found Gasper at far post but his close shot well held by Marrable.

Five minutes later Joe May's free kick from 22 yards out whizzed past Marrable's left post while on 67 minutes at the other end 62 Johnston's 25 yard volley was just of target.

The home side drew level on 68 minutes. Wooster threw the ball out to Gasper but he lost control and Jeremiah Nkruah took ball off him before shooting just wide of Wooster's left hand. The shot looked goal bound by Chris Steven was on hand to make sure at the far post.

Aveley finished the stronger and Johnston, Gasper both had chances before a contentious ending. 90 minutes was on the clock when Gasper met a corner from the left with a header that struck the underside of the bar and bounced down. Aveley players argued that the ball had crossed the line and an Ilford hand was used to clear it, but the referee waved away their protests and the two sides will have it all to do again.

Tuesday's scheduled Ryman League Cup clash at Dartford will be postponed for a second time and is ikley to be played on October 23.