Millers have in recent seasons taken a bit of a dislike to the month of December.

A couple of years ago they suffered a first defeat of the league season around Christmas time and last term were twice beaten at home which precipitated Paul Joynes's resignation.

On Saturday a side not yet among the top six was to end Aveley's unbeaten home record and whilst current manager Steve Mosely is in no danger of losing his job, these past few months have not been particularly good ones.

Millers have only won six of 15 games and now face a testing spell of four consecutive away games, three of which are against teams who are contenders for promotion.

Wingate & Finchley deserved their success having had much the better of the second-half and one in which the home side faded rather tamely during the final 20 minutes.

A Sam Bass header from six yards out straight into the hands of goalkeeper James Goodman in the opening minute promised that this wouldn't be a repeat of the season's opening day goalless draw.

And sure enough a couple of minutes later there was a score - for Wingate.

Richard Baum's cross from the left was aimed at the near post, where James Thompson guided the ball between Darren Smith and his upright.

Aveley were level after 22 minutes. Mark Robson dispossessed Daniel Neilsen on the left to cross to Matt Harrold, who laid the ball off to Tommy Lee to net from ten yards.

Both Harrold and Lee were to have further opportunities. The former was twice outdone by Goodman, while Lee couldn't quite find his range, although one first-time effort from 30 yards to Robson's cross was desperately close.

Midfielder Gary Lynch was used in a defensive role and had the misfortune to concede a penalty that gave Wingate a 58th minute lead.

It was given by an assistant referee who adjudged hand-ball and former Tottenham player, Clive Wilson, slotted away the kick.

A Rikki Hazle effort straight at Goodman and another Lee shot wide was Aveley's reply and that was about the sum of it.

Wingate took advantage of a by now demoralised opposition in the 80th minute with a fine goal by Thompson.

He got away rather too easily from a Bass challenge to get clear on goal where he dummied the advancing Smith and tucked the ball away in the far corner.

Published Wednesday December 19, 2001