Three points snatched off the Dockers

The luck finally turned for Arlesey Town on Tuesday night.

A third consecutive home league game for the Blues saw them defeat Tilbury 2-1.

And it was ironic that their worst display of the three should result in victory after tasting defeat in the previous two.

The three points were gained against 10 men on the back of a dubious penalty and courtesy of a last minute winning goal.

A crowd of just 43 watched the proceedings - by far the worst for a competitive game since they moved from Lamb Meadow - due to their recent poor form and the attraction of European football on television.

Tilbury came close to beating the deadlock when Jones' pace took him goalside only for Jack Rashid to save with his knees.

Jones was luckier in the next attack, slipping between the home cover to place the perfect cross-shot into the net in the 25th minute.

The Dockers looked to increase their lead and when the ball was not cleared following a chapter of self-inflicted errors in the home box, Guest struck a fierce volley narrowly wide.

This game's major talking point took place in the 38th minute as a Lee Tekell corner was knocked on by player-manager Darran Hay for James Gray to shoot for goal.

The ball appeared to strike Symons on a combination of chest and hand. The referee pointed to the spot and ordered the Tilbury defender to the showers, Tekell driving home the resulting penalty.

Despite being a man short, the better chances still fell to Tilbury and it took a smart save from Rashid at the foot of the post to deny Jamie Gray.

Then his namesake, the Arlesey captain, got into a tangle and almost directed the ball past his own keeper.

The home side were denied in the 76th minute when, from a Tekell corner, Gray saw his header beat Neil only for Lyons to clear off the line.

It appeared that both teams had settled for a point when a flowing move in the 89th minute ended with Wayne Mills being brought down.

Tekell planted the ball on the head of Hay whose effort gave Neil no chance.

This goal saw Arlesey complete the double over their guests from Essex in the space of 10 days.

Blues squad: Rashid, Reed, McElroy, Dogbe, Gray, Charalambolis (Barr), Barnett, Tekell, Hay, Mills, Rydeheard.

The Blues were beaten by the odd goal in three at home by AFC Sudbury on Saturday.

Arlesey had a poor first half, despite hitting the woodwork twice, as Sudbury looked the better side and seemed like they had done enough to go in ahead.

However in the fifth minute of time added on, Arlesey levelled through Hay.

And the Blues dominated the second half before Sudbury scored on the break three minutes from time to bag the points.

In the first half, Sudbury nearly took the lead when Gareth Heath rattled a shot against Rashid's left-hand post.

A sweeping move from the Blues saw Hay fire just over the bar following Craig Rydeheard's good run and cross.

Sudbury opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Luke Hammond's long shot found the bottom corner.

A good passage of play saw Arlesey hit the woodwork twice but fail to score.

First Hay crossed and Rydeheard's shot was pushed on to the post by keeper Munson.

Then another shot was deflected wide and from the corner, Hay headed against the bar.

Well into added time, Arlesey forced a corner and Hay was head and shoulders above everyone to head an equaliser beyond the keeper.

After the break, a jinking run from Matthew Clarke saw him lay the ball on for Tekell to shoot but keeper Munson was well placed to make the save.

Despite dominating, Arlesey survived a penalty shout for handball against Gray in his own area and a Sudbury header came back off the post.

The visitors, who always looked dangerous on the break, raced forward and James Rowe headed past Rashid with just three minutes left to give them all three points.

Blues: Rashid, Reed, McElroy, Dogbe, Gray, Tekell, Clark (Barnett), Charalambolis, Hay (Townsend), Mills, Rydeheard.