MALDON & TIPTREE 3-2 ROVERS

Rovers showed huge promise and lived up to manager Dan Trenkel's pre-match comments by almost beating Maldon Town, had it not been for ex-Rover Ross Wall's last minute winner.

Rovers went down to 10 men in the first half following the sending off of defender Nick Skelton, and Maldon grabbed the lead through Freddie Lapado. Despite playing the better football in the first half, Rovers went in at the break just a goal down.

Almost immediately from the break Rovers conceded again, Lapado getting his name on the scoresheet again. But Rovers were not finished and grabbed a goal back through Julian Okai. Rovers drew level through new signing Ashley Hawkins and went on to find a winner.

However, up stepped ex-Rover Ross Wall to end the Rovers fight back and steal the points for Maldon & Tiptree.

Rovers boss Dan Trenkel, who had already admitted he learnt more from the Tilbury defeat than the previous two draws under his stewardship, almost pulled a result from the brink, will be pleased with his teams performance but will continue with defensive work as he strives for Rovers first clean sheet of the season.