Tilbury and Dereham Town shared a thrilling 2-2 draw on an entertaining evening in Norfolk. The kick off was preceded by a minutes applause for former Dereham president Jack Wiseman and Tilbury's former Chairman Robin Nash following the passing of both long time servants.

Tilbury's first effort of the evening fell to leading goalscorer Danny Francis who's free kick was straight at the keeper on his 50th appearance for the Dockers. Within 5 minutes Chico Ramos saved from the dangerous Luke Tuttle. On 19 Dereham took the lead when Tuttle shot into the net. Tilbury made it 1-1 on 25 when a splitting ball from Sam Cutler found Lee Weemes one on one and won the battle to slot home. Tilbury kept pushing with both Francis and Cutler going close. The Dockers dominance paid off on 40 when a Cutler corner found the head of Ben Crooks, before Jake Pooley got his head in front on the line to score. Deep in to injury time Smith again brought off a fine save by Ramos.

On 52 there was a controversial moment when Ramos came out of his box to clear with his chest, but this saw the assistant referee flagging for handball. To the surprise to all, it saw only a yellow card. From the resulting free kick, Ramos parried well, but the ball fell to Matt Howard to slot home.

Both sides had good chances throughout the half with both keepers denying good goalscoring efforts. With 15 to go Dereham's Bammant had a clear header tipped over before Ramps tipping over, In the last 5 minutes the home sides laid siege on Tilbury's goal to look for the winner, but the Dockers defended stoutly.

With Tilbury short of some of their key players due to injury, stand in captain Conor Mead marshalled his troops well and was deservedly man of the match. Mead finished the game with a head bandage following a clash of heads in the first half.

After the game Manager Paul Vaughan said "I am pleased with the draw after going into the game with key players missing due to injury. The decision for the Dereham equaliser was a strange one"

Tilbury travel again this Saturday, when they make the short trip to Brentwood Town with a 3pm kick off.

Team: Ramos, Mead, Zanelli. Pooley, Crooks, Christou, Francis (Cook 70), Blackman (Coker 76), Weemes, Cutler and Babalola (Daniel 65)

Subs unused -