Billericay chose the perfect time to end a goal drought which lasted for more than eight hours.

For the superb effort which top scorer David Adekola converted after 36 minutes of this Ryman League Premier Division clash was enough to win the game and lift the New Lodge side back into fifth position.

Sadly, the afternoon was marred by a small gang of mindless hooligans in a crowd of 2,065 who broke into an area reserved for Billericay fans and started attacking away followers, but Billericay had plenty to celebrate after bringing their run of five games without a win to an end.

It was also great to see that man Adekola back on song again. Left out last week after a barren spell of four games, the goal sensation of the opening half of the season certainly warmed to the task.

He responded superbly to a great Billy Goldstone inspired break down the right by lashing a screaming shot into the top corner from nearly 25 yards out.

Leading up to this game Aldershot couldn't stop scoring. They'd managed 17 in four games with nine being netted by Joe Nartey following his return after a month long loan spell with Billericay.

It was another on-loan man, midfielder Keiron Adams from Barnet, who was the architect of much of Billericay's good play here.

The first-half was one of few chances with recent striker signing Steve Portway hitting the upright for Billericay and top scorer Gary Abbott blazing over from close range for the home side.

However, the game exploded into action in the second-half. Town were awarded a late penalty for a foul on substitute Jon Hooker.

With Billericay having missed the last three they had been awarded, responsibility was handed to Portway, but home keeper Gary Phillips saved and the rebound hit the post.

It was at this stage that the ugly scenes, behind the opposite goal, broke out and the game was stopped for a three-minute spell while players and officials of both sides joined stewards in trying to calm the situation.

With Nartey having returned to Shots in such goalden form, the Hampshire side's £11,000 signing from Billericay, Leon Gutzmore, has been unable to get into the side.

However, he forced ex Billericay team-mate Dave Root, in the visiting goal, to one great save after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Steve McGrath had a header cleared off the line as Shots searched desperately for an equaliser. That man Nartey, ironically, missed an open goal late on when another sub, Russell Watkinson, hit the post, but Billericay held out for a deserved success.

Now Billericay will be trying to build on this win when they return to New Lodge next Saturday with on-loan striker Roy Young available again.

Aldershot manager George Borg would not allow him to play in this match against his own team-mates. The weekend date with Slough will be Young's last for Billericay before he returns to Shots.

Solid - Keith Dublin gave a strong defensive display in his first game in a Canvey shirt

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.