Grays are the champions

It was their 16th successive victory, equalling the longest known run in the league’s 108-year history, and it completed a remarkable turnaround. Maldon, who themselves had a 14-match winning run earlier in the season, led the table by 15 points at Christmas when they were still unbeaten.

Craig Pope’s close-range header put Grays ahead after 25 minutes but their nerves remained ragged until ten minutes from time, when Jack Cawley deflected Jared Small’s cross into his own net to start the promotion party (pictured by Mikey Cartwright).

Maldon find themselves down to third place, behind
Thamesmead who romped to a 5-0 victory at Needham Market.

Stuart Zanone put them ahead after 10 minutes and such was their dominance that it was a surprise that the next goal did not come until the 65th minute when Chris Edwards netted.

Rob Carter made it three and Zanone scored twice in the last eight minutes, completing his hat-trick with a penalty.

Both Thamesmead and Maldon are safely in the play-offs, and only four teams are left in contention for the other two places.

Aveley and Heybridge, fourth and fifth, drew 1-1 at Heybridge. Ben Newson put Swifts ahead immediately after half-time but they then had Michael Cheek sent off and Jordan Cox equalised just before the hour, his 25th league goal.

With five games left, Millers look sure to claim the third play-off place but Heybridge, a point behind them having played two games more, are under pressure from Witham, three points behind them with a game in hand, though with a vastly inferior goal difference.

A Rob Whitnell double earned Witham their 2-1 victory at Waltham Forest, who took an early lead through Manu Dagher. Whitnell headed the equaliser soon after half-time and nabbed the winner on the hour, his 20th league goal.

The only other contenders now are Soham, but they are six points behind Heybridge with three to play after going down 3-1 at home to lowly Ware.

Leon Simpson put the visitors ahead on 25 minutes but Robbie Mason’s 25th of the season squared it again six minutes later. Matt Gill restored Ware’s lead midway through the second half and Simpson struck again to make sure.

The victory ensured that Ware stay up and, with only three clubs now in any danger of relegation, 12 of the clubs in the division have nothing but pride to play for in the last fortnight.

Harlow’s chances of going down are merely mathematical, though they need two more points to be officially safe. They salvaged a 2-2 home draw with Cheshunt after being outplayed for much of the game.

Corey Whitely and Tony Burke scored in the first ten minutes of the second half to give the visitors a well-deserved 2-0 lead but substitute Luke Eatwell pulled one back in the 74th minute and Christian Wheeler headed the late equaliser.

Ilford went down 2-0 at Wroxham to stay at the foot of the table. Josh Carus scored after seven minutes, taking Ilford’s goals-against tally into three figures, and Ben Thompson added the second in the 20th minute.

Redbridge remained two points ahead of their local rivals with a game in hand after an Austin Gachero hat-trick condemned them to a 3-1 home defeat by Chatham.

Gachero opened the scoring after 12 minutes, when it was Redbridge’s turn to concede their 100th goal, and struck again in the 25th and 57th minutes.

Redbridge’s sole reply came nine minutes before the interval from Jacob Cleaver. He now has 17 goals and if he is the next man to score for the Motormen he will have exactly half their league total.

Tilbury’s remote play-off chances were ended by a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Waltham Abbey. James Peagram scored 11 minutes after the start, Ayrton Coley 11 minutes before the end.

Romford twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Potters Bar. Gary Wharton’s 20th-minute opener was quickly answered by Lewis Francis Josh Hutchinson restored the Scholars’ advantage on 53 minutes but they had Cole Penny sent off and James Ishmail squared it midway through the half.

Brtentwood’s home game with Sudbury looked set to finish goalless when Steve Butterworth missed an 81st-minute penalty for the hosts. But Butterworth made amends with the only goal of the game four minutes from time. Sudbury, for whom Lee Townrow hit the bar in the first half, had Sam Clarke sent off in the 74th minute.