Millers go third- and Robins climb to fifth

By Ian Townsend

We had two matches in Pitching In Isthmian Premier last night, and they ended in home wins as Hastings and Lewes headed back to Sussex empty handed

Four points separated Aveley and Hastings United as they kicked off at Parkside last night- and although the visitors made all of the early running, the gap has increased to seven points after the Millers staged a second half comeback to seal victory. It took only two minutes for United to take the lead, man of the moment Kane Penn crossing for a Ben Pope tap in, and it was a lead they still held at the break, when Pope was replaced by David Smith, on for his United debut, and Jack Dixon headed for the bench with Sam Hasler in his place.

It took nine minutes for the hosts to equalise. Good work from eventual man of the match Manny Ogunrinde created a chance for Oli Coker, and he held his nerve to level. Three minutes later they were ahead, Kenny Aileru effectively assisting himself to fire home, and that turned out to be that.

The Millers climb to third, only a point behind the leaders, whilst United slip to tenth- although they have played three matches fewer than their opponents.

Carshalton Athletic knew that victory over Lewes would take them into the top five, and they got that victory after a performance of the Tom Beere show. After seventy two minutes without a goal a foul on Matthew Vigor saw the referee point to the spot, and Beere calmly stepped up to put the Robins ahead. With eight minutes left, however, it looked as if the points would be shared after Joe Taylor drew the visitors level- but it only looked that way for around thirty seconds. Straight from the restart Beere received the ball thirty years out and was given the space to fire a beauty past Lewis Carey and into the net. With the Rooks pressing for an equaliser a mistake high up the field led to a quick break and a shot from Femi Akinwande which Carey had to put onto the post, and a couple of half chances for Taylor came and went for the visitors, who had to travel home with naught to show for their efforts. Taylor's twenty third goal of the season might have warmed them up a little, but in the end it didn't earn them a point.

The Rooks are eleventh, six points behind the Robins with a game in hand.

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