With what has occurred at Parkside off the pitch this week, not many knew what to expect but the players dug deep and created a fantastic team performance to gain three points to add to our tally.

The first half was in all the most bizarre 45 minutes of football this season, not much in all action happened, but when something did happen it had a massive affect on the game.

The opening few minutes the pace of Coggeshall seemed to cause us a few problems with our back-line getting accustomed to the conditions. This lead to Nnamdi Nwachuku having a couple of attempts on goal but Lamar Johnson was on hand to make the saves.

A bizarre moment then happened when the hosts' Josh Pollard was hit in the face with the ball at close range by his own teammate Tyler Corlett, the midfielder looked to be totally knocked out, but when he came round he was getting treatment on his ankle and was forced to go off and replaced by Ace Howell.

There wasn't much in the way of action at either end until we got our first corner of the game, whipped in by Sam Bantick and after a few half chances to maybe win the second ball and create an effort on goal but Danny Sambridge in the Coggeshall goal punched the ball well clear of the danger.

On 34 minutes the hosts' found themselves down to ten men after Mekhi McLeod was shown a straight red card, at the time no one had any idea what for. But it was confirmed post match that Mekhi allegedly kicked out at Connor Witherspoon.

Five minutes after that red card the first goal of the game was scored, sort of. A lovely cross in from Conor Mead was met by the head of Tom Richardson who saw his header hit the underside of the bar and bounce down near the line, the linesmen began flagging and the goal was awarded, Tom Richardson's 21st goal of the season in 35 games. Coggeshall Town 0-1 Aveley.

Half Time | Coggeshall Town 0-1 Aveley.

The hosts started the second half creating a couple of half chances, Nwachuku again found a bit of space but managed to spoon his shot up in the air rather than towards goal and the effort was caught by Lamar Johnson. We then had a massive let off moments later a superb cross from the left hand side from Curtis Haynes-Brown was met by Nnamdi Nwachuku who did everything right in winning the header and heading it towards goal but he was this time denied by the top right hand post of Lamar's goal.

Just after that and we almost doubled our lead, Sam Bantick made a great run and move in on goal he was found by James Love, Bantick went alone although having Alex Akrofi on the square, but as a striker in goalscoring form, not many (or any) would pass that opportunity up. Sam Bantick went alone and saw his effort saved well by Danny Sambridge at his near post.

We weren't to be denied for very long as Sam Bantick delivered a corner which was met by the head of Alex Akrofi who powered his fantastic header into the top right hand corner. Coggeshall Town 0-2 Aveley.

Andy Freeman came off the bench and almost added to our lead. He danced past both Tyler Brampton and Tyler Corlett before curling an effort towards goal and denied by Danny Sambridge.

With time ticking away the Millers looked in cruise control until an unbelievable free-kick from Conor Hubble flew into the top left hand corner of Lamz's goal, absolutely no chance for the keeper. Coggeshall Town 1-2 Aveley.

Five minutes were added on time and with a minute to go we almost made sure of the points, Freddie Gard got in behind curled an effort which looked destined for the bottom left hand corner until a brilliant finger-tip save from Sambridge with the ball then clipping the inside of the post and somehow still staying out.

Full Time | Coggeshall Town 1-2 Aveley.

Attendance | 141.

Millers XI | Lamar Johnson, Conor Mead, Sam Mvemba, James Love, Connor Witherspoon, Adam Bailey-Dennis, Jason Raad (Andy Freeman 63), Amir Berkane, Tom Richardson, Sam Bantick (Freddie Gard 72), Alex Akrofi (Bobby Vaughan 76).

Unused Subs | Harry Gibbs, Sam Cross.

Coggeshall XI | Danny Sambridge, Tyler Brampton, Curtis Haynes-Brown, Conor Hubble, Dexter Peter, Tyler Corlett, Michael Gyasi (Aryton Coley 45), Joshua Pollard (Ace Howell 10) (Ross Wall 74), Nnamdi Nwachuku, Mekhi McLeod, Tevan Allen.

Unused Subs | Jamie Shaw, Daniel Cunningham.