AVELEY moved to within three points of the Isthmian North summit thanks to recording a convincing 4-1 victory at Cambridge City.

Perry Dunn, George Sykes, Jason Raad and Shad Ngandu netted for the Millers before Ryan Sharman grabbed a late consolation for the hosts.

And Aveley boss Keith Rowland is now brimming with confidence whenever his side are on the front foot.

Rowland told Aveley FC TV: “We have a few individuals in the group that can open teams up and that’s the beauty of it.

“We are now resilient and starting games well.

“We are going 2-0 up in games and you think ‘teams aren’t coming back into this’.

“We’re getting more resolute as a group, which is the pleasing thing.

“Now, when we score a goal, we look like we’re going to score the next one.

“We’re not letting teams back into games and that’s vital.”

Aveley got off to the perfect start against Cambridge as they broke the deadlock inside the opening minute.

Raad’s corner was met by the head of central defender Dunn, who marked the start of his third stint with the Millers by nodding home.

And there was daylight between the two sides with just 13 minutes on the clock as Sykes guided Raad’s effort into the bottom corner of the net.

Having played a key role in both of the early goals, Raad came within a whisker of adding his name to the scoresheet four minutes later as the South African rounded two Cambridge defenders before firing inches over the top.

However, Raad was not to be denied a place on the scoresheet as, on the stroke of half-time, he slotted home.

Harry Gibbs made an impressive goal-line clearance after the break to preserve the Millers’ clean sheet.

And Aveley added a fourth goal with 13 minutes remaining.

The referee pointed to the spot after Sykes had been brought down and Ngandu confidently converted the penalty.

Alex Akrofi was denied a place on the scoresheet as Cambridge goalkeeper Dan George spectacularly tipped the Millers striker’s attempt onto the crossbar.

Although Aveley conceded in the dying moments as Sharman tapped home from close range, Rowland was keen to remain upbeat and feels his side have set high standards for themselves.

“It’s very important that we keep the group together and the players understand that,” added Rowland.

“We’re all in this together and I’m no different to the players.

“I’m only as good as what we’ve got and they have stepped up from day one since I came here.

“I have said to them on numerous occasions that they have set a bar and high standards. They have got to stay there.”