THE return to weekend action after two icy Saturdays proved a miserable one for the majority of south-east Essex clubs.
In Blue Square Premier Grays Athletic slumped back into relegation danger with a 1-0 home defeat by runaway leaders Burton Albion, now being managed by Roy McFarlane after previous boss Nigel Clough took over at Championship Derby County.
Also sliding to a 1-0 home defeat, and renewed relegation fears, were Thurrock in Blue Square South. They went down to Weston-super-Mare.
Things were no brighter in the Ryman Premier. Canvey Island completed their fifth league game without a win when they lost 2-0 at Staines against nomads Hendon.
And Billericay Town suffered their second Ryman defeat in five days when they lost 3-1 at Harrow Borough.
Things were brighter in Ryman One North - and particularly for East Thurrock United.
The late goal they scored in a 1-0 home success over Chatham Town saw them take over as leaders as previous top dogs Aveley surprisingly lost 2-0 on home territory against Waltham Forest.
Concord Rangers saw their play-off hopes jolted when they drew 1-1 at Thames Road with near neighbours Tilbury.
At Burroughs Park, Great Wakering Rovers, whose regular crowds have dropped below the 100 mark, attracted a 244 attendance by letting in fans free of charge.
They also introduced their new mascot, Rover the Dog for the first time and were rewarded with a 1-0 win over Redbridge which saw Billy Johnson grab the only goal in the second-half.
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