Tilbury showed again that giving up is not in there vocabulary, as they came from 4-1 down to achieve a well deserved point and keep the unbeaten league run to 16 games, going back to early September.

Manager Gary Henty made a single change to his side with Francis Babalola coming into the side at the expense of Emiel Aiken.

Before a good Boxing Day crowd including a good number of Dockers supporters, both teams had to contend with another windy afternoon of football.

Tilbury had the first chance of the afternoon when Kurt Smith went on a good run past home defenders, before seeing his shot wide. The home side also had a good opening and they were the side to strike first. On 7 minutes quick passing move down field by Monlouis and Newson saw Darren McQueen played in and round the advancing Clarke Bogard before firing into an open net. Maldon will feel fortunate as on 10 minutes Segura kicked out at Glozier in front of the referee, who made the surprising decision to only caution the player. Tilbury responded with a Harry Cook close range shot being just turned away by Shaun Phillips before they equalised after 18 minutes when Kurt Smith crossed from the left and Harry Cook smashed the ball into the net.

It took Maldon only 3 minutes to go back in the lead when Newson chased down what looked a lost cause but Danny Smith was out muscled and he took the ball on to score with a fine shot into the far corner. Matt Game on his 50th appearance for the club saw his effort go wide on the half hour. On 32 the home side were awarded a penalty when Monlouis was tripped as he moved into the area by Smith and home skipper Matt Lock slotted home from the spot.

Before the break Tilbury had a good spell with Cook making good progress to the by line before pulling the ball back for Kurt Smith to volley over. Maldon were not done and scored the goal of the game on 39 when Newson received the ball from Monlouis before taking a touch and seeing his fine right footed effort go into the top far corner for a fine goal.

Tilbury still never gave up and gave themselves hope 2 minutes before the break when Tony Martin, against his former club, run unchallenged from the half way line and into the home penalty area before firing across Phillips and into the far corner to record another fine individual goal.

The second half did not disappoint as both sides had good chances. Newson flicked a glancing header just wide from Lock's quick free kick before Tilbury's Francis Babalola saw his shot just blocked, before his rebound go wide of the post. A fifth goal for the home side would surely have secured the win but after Newson's great run and cross had played in McQueen the latter saw his shot blocked out by Bogard to Newson who saw his header just cleared out for a corner. From this McQueen headed over before the home side was punished after 66 minutes when they were on the wrong end of a dubious penalty award when keeper Phillips was adjudged to have taken down Cook as they both chased after a through ball. Despite the referee being on the half way line and his assistant up with play, it was only the referee who pointed to the spot to the surprise of the home supporters. Defender Glozier stepped up to score to make it a nervy 4-3

The home side were still coming forward in search of a possible deciding goal and a great passing move by Newson and McQueen left the latter clear on goal, but Bogard moved out to save well. Bogard was at the rescue again with a fine double save, firstly from Newson, before McQueen was only stopped by an equally fine save. Tilbury substitute Neil Richmond then gave Jack Carlile a shooting chance that he put over before the home side again attacked, but Newson saw his effort go wide.

With 7 minutes to go Tilbury got the vital equaliser when home possession was lost to Francis Babalola who played in Tony Martin to score his second goal of the game with a 15 yard shot into the corner. A game that had kept the crowd on the edge of their seats provided excitement right to the end with a diverted shot just being collected from under his bar by home keeper Phillips before visiting keeper Bogard was grateful that when he misjudged and missed a long low shot from Lock that the ball went wide of his goal rather than into the net.

After the game Manager Gary Henty commented “We did not get it right in the first half, but credit to the lads in the second half, who showed grit and determination and changed the game. The team spirit has been fantastic"

The Dockers have a break until 2nd January when they welcome old friends Great Wakering Rovers with a 3pm kick off.

Team: Bogard, Mead, Glozier, D Smith, Nightingill, Game, Babalola, Carlile, H Cook (Richmond 75), Martin, K Smith.

Unused Subs: Webb, J Cook, Austin and Elsom