The caretaker is now the boss, with Tilbury having decided to appoint Bill McMeekin as replacement for Tony Cross.

The club's reserve team manager, McMeekin had initially only agreed to do the job until the end of the season, but because results have been so impressive over the past five weeks he decided to offer his services for next term too.

Club chairman Robbie Nash readily agreed and the players duly showed their appreciation of the decision by gaining a derserved point at third-placed Great Wakering.

McMeekin, who lives in Dagenham, arrived at St Chad's six seasons ago to set up the club's youth teamand since taking charge of the Ryman side has given a number of young players their chance.

He'll be assisted by player/coach Dave Robertson, who works full-time with the Crystal Palace academy side.

Dockers, who have never won at Great Wakering, had made a none too impressive start by falling behind after only four minutes when Paul Flack headed in Andy Jones' near-post cross.

But a side that had won its last three away games gradually found their feet and the impressive Kevin Stubbs was unlucky when a diagonal shot struck the far post. Stubbs, howver, was later stretchered off with a back injury.

Tilbury equalised 15 minutes into the second period. Robertson, who in his time has played in the Dr Martens and Western Leagues, put over a cross which Dave Hudson punched clear to the edge of the box and defender Craig Dennis returned the ball with interest.

The visitors now enjoyed their best spell with Steve Jones seeing his 15-yard effort cleared off the line by Mick Munro.

Wakering, though, did have most of the possessioin over the final 20 minutes. but such was the defensive play of John Ray, Dennis and Kevin Mully, that they were reduced to long-range efforts, none of which worried Mark Hardingham.

And in injury-time Tilbury almost snatched victory with Michael Hart flicking Robertson's low cross over the crossbar.

Published Monday, March 18, 2002