Ilford 1 Tilbury 2

ILFORD manager Colin Walton was left fuming at his wasteful players, after their defeat to fellow strugglers Tilbury on Saturday.

Having got their season back on track with wins against Potters Bar and Thamesmead Town last week, The Foxes good run came to a shuddering halt as they surrendered a half-time lead and the priceless points.

Walton left his players in no doubt as to what he thought of their 17th defeat of the season.

“I was raging at the end,” said Walton (left). “We were comfortable at 1-0 and looking to get the second and we threw it away.

“It was a vital three points to lose. It puts a bit more pressure on us, which is disappointing as it was a game in which we were clearly the better team.”

Plumbing problems at Cricklefield meant Ilford had to relinquish home advantage, with the match moved to Tilbury’s Chadfields ground.

Walton’s side posed the bigger threat in a poor first half and took the lead just before the interval, when Derek Hawtin fed Junior Appiah, who crossed for Tom Nyama to superbly power home.

Ilford were good value for their lead, but self destructed after the break.

Five minutes after the restart The Dockers were level, when former Foxes defender Sam West volleyed past keeper Rob Budd.

With both sides determined to take maximum points, Hawtin and Nyama missed chances to put Ilford in front and with 10 minutes to go they paid the ultimate price.

Nyama conceded a clumsy penalty for a foul on Chris Stowe and Ben Bradbury duly converted from 12 yards as Tilbury snatched the win.

Walton’s side will be desperate for a return to winning ways when they travel to third place Wingate & Finchley on Saturday.

However, they will be without Ian Cooper, whose groin injury may rule him out for the rest of the season, while new signing Daniel Jones, who has arrived from Enfield Town, is not yet fit enough for his debut.