Aveley continued their climb up the Ryman Division One North table by following up the midweek draw with high-flying Yeading with a 1-0 success over Barton Rovers.

It was the Millers first league victory on their own territory since early October and was hard fought, with Nathan Elder grabbing the only goal with a far-post effort early in the second-half.

Elder had twice gone close earlier when he had an effort ruled out for offside and then saw a shot cleared off the line.

Steve Dickinson almost put Aveley 2-0 ahead when his looping header went narrowly over, but there were problems for the home side on the hour when striker Danny Curran was shown a red card for pushing visiting keeper Brad Gillham into the side barrier.

In a frantic ending Barton had a header cleared off the line, another effort well saved and saw Danny Kennoy shoot over when well-placed.

The visitors, however, could not grab a share of the spoils with substitute James Hatch (retaliation) and their manager (over protesting) both being dismissed in the closing stages.

Published Monday January 12, 2004

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