East Thurrock United 1 Blues 0

East Thurrock United's leading scorer Sam Higgins condemned Richard Wilkins' side to their first defeat of 2015 and first ever defeat at Rookery Hill. On a difficult playing surface Higgins controlled Lewis Smith's cross, spun and sent a shot across Danny Gay crashing into the net via the post eleven minutes into the second half. The Blues were again short of numbers due to injuries with both Danny Block and Darren Mills absent from Tuesday’s squad but Patrick Brothers and Blake Saker returned. The visitors, playing with Scott Mitchell in attack due to injuries, pressed hard throughout but couldn't fashion a clear cut sight of goal which was not for the want of trying. The Blues started well forcing a first minute corner and then Tom Stephen cleared Boardley's throw-in off the line. David Bryant had the first chance for the hosts, collecting a sliced Stuart Boardley clearance but scuffed his opportunity wide. Boardley then swapped ends and sent a long range effort that skidded across the face of goal through a ruck of players just missing a telling touch. Moments later Scott Mitchell flicked on to Gareth Heath who neatly lifted the ball over Ben Wood but fired over the home bar. As we reached the half hour mark the Rocks became more threatening and a fine cross from Nicky Symons picked out the unmarked David Bryant but he headed wide. A fine cross from Ryan Sammons raced across the Blues goal with the sliding Tom Stephen just failing to make contact. The pressure continued and Danny Gay was forced into the first telling save of the game on 38 minutes, diving low to his left to keep out Nicky Symons effort. A tight first half ended with Lewis Smith and the Blues Danny Cunningham receiving yellow cards.

The Rocks began the second half as they had ended the first and seven minutes in almost broke the deadlock. Lewis Smith pass found Sam Higgins on the right who cut inside Tom Bullard but was denied by a super save from Danny Gay to his right. But four minutes later the Blues keeper was not as fortunate as the same two players combined with Higgins turning smartly inside the box to crash a shot into the net via the left hand post. Just after the hour the visitors created their best move. Danny Cunningham found Scott Mitchell whose neat lay off picked out Craig Parker but he fired wide. Minutes later Joe Jefford met Danny Cunningham’s free kick and headed across goal but Gareth Heath’s shot was crowded out. The Blues had responded well to going behind and on 69 minutes almost levelled. Tom Winter played in Leon Ottley-Gooch whose cross found Gareth Heath and his cross picked out the run of Craig Parker but his header looped the wrong side of the post. The hosts were now defending well yet still posed a real threat at the other end and the Blues needed to be on their guard. On 78 minutes a looping Danny Cunningham corner was met by Leon Ottley-Gooch but David Hughes made a routine save. As the heavy ground took its toll on the players the final ten minutes or so saw little action at either end as East Thurrock were able to see out time and claim three important points in their quest for the play offs.

FT – East Thurrock United 1 Blues 0

Blues line up – Gay, Ottley-Gooch, Boardley, Cunningham, Bullard, Jefford, Winter (Saker 83 mins), Heath, Mitchell, Parker, Brothers. Subs not used – Francis, Kerslake, Mayhew and Rossis.

Goals – Higgins 56 mins (East Thurrock United)

Man of the Match – Leon Ottley-Gooch

Attendance - 215