AFC Hornchurch 2, Tilbury 0

Despite losing to Ryman Division One North title-chasing Hornchurch Tilbury manager Tony Cross came out of Saturday's derby encounter with plenty of positives.

Though Tilbury were always second best to the much vaunted Urchins, they never threw in the towel and in the second half in particular drew plaudits for their ability to battle and a possible hammering, which some Dockers supporters feared, never materialised.

In addition Cross now looks close to having gathered together the squad he wants.

Most of last season's Essex Senior League squad were given the chance to prove themselves but most have fallen by the wayside in a difficult start to the season as Cross has drafted in many new faces.

Two more made their Dockers debuts on Saturday and both Olubenga Ladega, from Redbridge, and Tyrone Thomas, who has been elevated from junior football, did enough to suggest they can cut it at this level.

Also back in the starting line-up after injury problems was one of the stars of last season's promotion run-in, Courtney McLean.

Having said all that, the gulf between top and bottom in this league looks immense and Hornchurch, under former Thurrock boss Colin McBride and with many Conference South veterans in the ranks, always held the advantage.

They set the agenda almost from the kick-off when Danny Glozier pumped in a long high ball in the first few seconds which Dockers keeper Dean Neil, on his second appearance, did well to keep away from Kris Lee.

Former Urchin Billy Drake, now plying his trade with Dockers, was at the heart of much of the early action, putting himself about physically and creating an early chance for Nana Badu, whose drive was blocked by John Purdie.

Hornchurch had the lion's share of the play though, and were denied by a couple of late offside flags and some desperate defending, including some dodgy tackles which saw Drake and Jordon Tolan both booked.

In the end the home side pressure told, though it took an individual goal of some brilliance to break the deadlock, Simon Parker racing through from halfway and leaving defenders in his wake before rounding Neil to score in the 27th minute.

Tilbury were then laid under siege. Former Thurrock players Garry Cross, and Mark Janney both went close and another ex Fleet man, Lee headed narrowly wide. Dockers' Danny Pitt cleared off the line to half another attack but the inevitable happened three minutes before half time when Lee finished off a good move with a fine strike.

Lee nearly made it three within a minute of the restart, forcing a fine save from Neil, who was to see his goal under constant pressure for the remainder of the match.

He proved equal to the task with a string of fine saves, the best of which was a superb stop from sub Ainsley Gasper which the home fans are already claiming will be the save of the season at the Hornchurch Stadium.

Tilbury briefly came back when Jack O'Connor sent a spectacular bicycle kick shot over the bar on 83 minutes, and Badu hit a long range shot yards wide, but in the main it was one way.

Tilbury held out, though they saw temperamental assistant manager Gary Heyward sent from the bench for dissent. He suffered the same fate on more than one occasion last season and has already been fined and warned for one red card this season so he could face the wrath of the FA shortly.

That, and defeat aside, were the downsides but, having shown the ability not to buckle under immense pressure, Dockers may draw heart from defeat.

Certainly if they show the same spirit in next Saturday's home clash with mid table Waltham Abbey, who came up with them from the Essex Senior League last season, Cross's side will have hopes of elevated themselves from their current position, one off the foot of the table.

Dean Neil, Danny Pitts, Courtney McLean (Andre Humphrey 54), Martyn Guest (Bradley Smart 81), Olubenga Ladega, Tyron Thomas, Jack O'Connor , Billy Drake (Simon Deakin 69), Jordon Tolan, Nana Badu, Billy Munroe.