Dockers achieved arguably their best Ryman Two result of the season on Saturday.

Short of a number of first-team players because of injury and unavailability, Tilbury had also gone into the game following two extra-time battles in the previous seven days.

That they had eventually lost to almost the last kick of a Vase the replay would have done nothing for morale. However, Dockers showed tremendous character to do the double over Leyton Pennant - and they are no mugs having been among the leading sides all season.

Taking the lead in just 20 seconds helped banish the Wroxham blues and give confidence to those called in to replace Shaun Rees, Kevin Mully, Steve Jones and Kevin Stubbs.

Michael Hart was the early, early, scorer. Jean-Marie Okita flicked the ball to his team-mate, who took it on his thigh and then half-volleyed a shot over Craig Knox for his second league goal of the campaign.

Leyton never really recovered from that and after half-an-hour their frustration became acute.

Sean Gainford in his first full start for Tilbury and also the first American-born player to turn out for the club, won a free-kick as he tussled with Jay Notley - and got a smack in the face for his troubles. Off went the Leyton midfielder.

Steve Harrison, who had frequently troubled the home defence with his close control, totally flummoxed them on 42 minutes when he cut inside from the left-flank, beat two defenders and rifled home a glorious indivdual goal with his right foot.

In the remaining moments before the break Leyton finally put some pressure on the visitors' goal.

Mark Hardingham pulled off an excellent save to thwart Jermaine Hughes and then Billy Cove hit the crossbar with a back-header.

Tilbury were not quite as impressive on the restart and found themselves just one goal to the good on 68 minutes after Hardingham fumbled Cove's 20 yarder and Hughes tapped in from close range.

Dockers though weren't about to endure another disappointment, least of all against ten men and Leyton were given few sights of Hardingham.

On 85 minutes came the goal which settled it. Rikki Burbridge, on as a substitute, fed Ian Renshaw whose cross was met by Okita's glancing header.

Victory moved Tilbury up a couple of places to 12th in the table, and relishing the Boxing Day visit from their friends at Rookery Hill.

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001