Harlow's title hopes ended for another season on Saturday after a disappointing 0-0 draw at Thame United.

A quiet game never really came to life, and the Essex side now trail second-placed Hornchurch by some eleven points with only five games left to play.

Great Wakering Rovers' recent good run was also suffocated in a 0-0 draw, where visiting Molesey did enough to warrant a share of the spoils. Essex rivals East Thurrock United had less joy, falling to goals from Jermaine Ferreira and Jamie Charles at Oxford City.

Tilbury enjoyed something of a thriller at Hemel Hempstead Town. The hosts are gunning for the second of the two promotion spots into the Ryman Premier, and they took the lead with half an hour left of this clash through Bryan Hammett. Trevor Jones scuppered promotion hopes with an equaliser ten minutes later for Tilbury, before Hammett struck again on 75 minutes.

Daniel West seemed to have made the game safe for the hosts, but Tilbury registered again through Jean-Marie Okita to set up a tense finale, which the hosts scraped through.

Aveley romped to a fine 3-0 away success at Hertford Town, with goals Trevor Paul, Aaron Wright and Tommy Lee.

The remaining game saw Wivenhoe Town frustrate Champions-elect Northwood, who needed victory against their Essex opponents to confirm promotion.

A tight but entertaining match saw both sides emerge with credit in a 0-0 draw, and Northwood will have to wait another week before opening the champagne.

Published Monday, April 14, 2003