Aveley won the race to finish as Essex's highest ranked club in Ryman Division One, pipping Harlow Town over the closing weeks of the season to finish a commendable 6th.

Not bad for a side who were plying their trade in Division Three last term. Aveley's solid improvement in form was capped by a final-day victory at home to Wingate & Finchley. Danny Curran's goal on 25 minutes means that Aveley have really announced themselves in the higher eschalons of the non-league game.

Harlow's standard slump towards the end of the season resulted in a final finishing place of 10th, some eighteen points off of a promotion spot.

Uxbridge stole the points at Hammerskjold Road on Saturday through Stuart Bamford's somewhat controversial late goal. That aside, Harlow have been well off the pace over the closing months of the season.

Great Wakering Rovers encountered a slow start to the season but finished in mid-table, and were involved in an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Hornchurch, who had already sealed their promotion to the Ryman Premier.

Dan Trenkel put Rovers in front before a Andrew Martin equaliser tied the game up. Danny Scopes restored the advantage for the hosts before a dramatic turnaround saw Steve Jones' side going into the break in front after goals from Steve Carter and Nick Lowery.

But Keith Wilson ensured a share of the spoils for Wakering shortly after the restart with the match's third equaliser.

East Thurrock thumped Barton Rovers 4-0 away from home. Keith Martin, James Dwyer (2) and Scott Holding all found themselves on the scoresheet.

Less joy for strugglers Tilbury and Wivenhoe however. Only 50 spectators turned up to see already-relegated Wembley hit four past Tilbury, with Michael Barima bagging a hat-trick. Jean-Marie Okita and Ricky Downs were on target for Tilbury who finish just four off the bottom.

That's still one place above Essex rivals Wivenhoe though, and only 21 could muster up the energy to attend the match at Broad Lane. Those who went saw Wealdstone run in four goals in a 4-1 away win. Nicky Haydon's penalty proved to be Wivenhoe's only consolation.