Millers let it slip

AVELEY let a two goal lead slip and ended the match with John Purches being carried off on a stretcher after a tackle that saw the visitors' Lee Hockey sent off.

The Millers rode their luck in the first half and were grateful to keeper Marc Palmer for a good save on eight minutes from Kieran Marsh.

And there was a big slice of luck involved on 35 minutes when Darren Spinks missed his tackle and the ball fell to Bradley Spice who crossed infield only for the ball to be intercepted by Kevin Mully but he sliced his clearance and the ball hit his own bar. Having escaped, Aveley added to Sittingbourne's sense of misfortune with two goals in the last two minutes of the half.

The first came when Aveley were awarded a penalty which Tommy Lee converted and moments later as Millers mounted another quick attack, Purches pounced to catch the visiting defence napping.

Miller looked comfortable during the early stages of the second half, with Sittbourne's best effort in the first 20 minutes of play being a long shot from Ricky Spiller which Palmer saved.

They might even have added to their lead on 67 minutes when Danny Curran spotted Friend out of his goal but his attempted lob was off target.

It was a close call that Aveley were to rue as on 78 minutes Peter Taylor picked out the dangerous Spice and he produced a blistering finish that gave Palmer no chance. It was the hitman's 50th goal for the Brickies.

And the 51st wasn't long in coming. Just two minutes later he was fouled on the edge of the box and got up to crash a superb free-kick Palmer.

The match ended on a sour note when Hockey launched into an over-the-top challenge on Purches that saw him sent off and the Millerman stretchered off.

Even then there was time for Aveley to mount a final threat but Hasan Ugurkardal's overhead effort went just wide.