Both sides opted to put out weaker sides, as Thurrock went for youth and energy and the Millers put out players coming back from injury and from not playing for a few months.

The first half was a forgettable one, honestly a few chances here and there, overall lacked any real kind of quality to take the match by the scruff of the neck.

The first chance came on seven minutes, Joe Pearman found space on the edge of the area, he dragged his shot towards goal but it was pushed away by Madden.

It took twenty minutes for the next half chance of the match, Keke Orth did well down the right hand side beating Abs Seymour for pace, the angle was tight and his shot went wide of the target.

Tenacious work from Lee Weemes carved open the clearest chance of the match, but his shot was saved by Madden to keep the score line 0-0.

The Millers then had a penalty turned town, it was a big call and those type are given 9 times out of 10, but on this occasion the referee waved it away after Junior Appiah was shoved to the floor.

Half Time- Thurrock 0-0 Aveley.

The second half was a pulsating encounter, both sides went for it, but it was Thurrock who went through.

The second half did really belong to the Millers, Junior Appiah's good work down the left created a chance for Marcus Elliott, but he headed straight at Madden.

Thurrock had their first chance of getting forward in the second half and got themselves a penalty. Really if the first one wasn't given in the first half for Aveley, then this one shouldn't have been either. But take nothing away from the cool penalty into the bottom corner by Ross Gleed. Thurrock 1-0 Aveley.

The Millers came straight back and could've had three goals in quick concession, Marcus Elliott, Lee Weemes and Joe Pearman all brilliantly denied by Madden.

Aveley reacted with two substitutes, Liam Nash and Lee Prescott came on for Lee Weemes and Arian Retkoceri.

The ball was thrown in, won back by the Millers, Marcus Elliott rolled the ball across to Lee Prescott and with his first touch, he smashed it into the top corner. You had to feel sorry for Madden who was brilliant, but no keeper in the world would've saved that shot. Thurrock 1-1 Aveley.

From that goal, you'd think the tails would be up. But we've all heard that expression "A team is most vulnerable just after they've scored" and this was a perfect example of that. Good work down the right by Thurrock, played it across to Ross Gleed and he finished with aplomb, a real accomplished finish from Gleed. Thurrock 2-1 Aveley.

The Millers carried on trying to find a way back into the match, Marcus Elliott shot was saved brilliantly by Madden, finger tip save onto the crossbar and away.

Aveley made one last change as James Peagram replaced Junior Appiah. He was through moments later but he was denied by a super save from Madden.

Moments later Aveley were in again, Peagram squared it to Nash but his shot was again saved by Rhys Madden.

With time ticking away it was Waters who this time denied a certain goal. A low hard shot from Prescott was flicked just wide of the post by the left heel of Waters.

The Millers huffed and puffed but Madden and Thurrock's house would not be blown down. Thurrock played well and defended superbly, but the Millers should be happy with the performance, it not for Madden, it really would've been a different score line.

Full Time- Thurrock 2-1 Aveley FC.

Millers XI- James Marrable, Paul Preston, Abs Seymour, Steve Willis, Spencer Harrison, Arian Retkoceri (Lee Prescott 62), Marcus Elliott, Billy Holland (C), Lee Weemes (Liam Nash 62), Joe Pearman, Junior Appiah (James Peagram 75).

Unused subs- Perry Dunn.