Defences dominated in the Isthmian League South East Division relegation scrap between Erith Town and VCD Athletic.

However, one lapse by the Vickers proved costly when the hosts scored the only goal to claim all three points.

After a scrappy start, the Dockers started to impose themselves. Carlos Richards tried to catch out Archie Burford with a near post free kick but the VCD custodian dived across goal to double fist it away. Destiny Olapido then did well to get down the right hand side and cross. It was knocked out as far as Richards who fired well over.

Elliott Wenham delivered a cross that hit the top of the bar on the way over before Jerome Jayaguru got on the end of a long throw but was unable to keep it down. Richards then had a shot saved at the near post by Burford after Luke Northwood played him through.

Eight minutes before half time, the Dockers made the breakthrough with a huge helping hand. A VCD defender attempted to pass across his own penalty area unaware that Olapido was in the way. Although the hosts’ striker’s first touch was clumsy, he still managed to get a shot away that came back out off the post straight to George Brooke who fired home.

Looking for a quick response, Lee Bird hit a long range shot that was well held by Harrison Firth before they almost conceded again when they lost possession from their own free kick. Olapido broke away for a one on one with Burford only to shoot straight at him, and he beat it out to safety.

Deep into injury time, the Vickers came close to levelling when James Fitchett met a corner from Freddie Cowin with a firm header that was blocked off the goal-line by Northwood.

Early in the second period, Harry Lawrence headed over from another Cowin dead ball delivery before Erith threatened when Jayaguru flicked on a long throw and Olapido squeezed out a shot that was claimed by Burford.

Brooke tried an audacious lob from out wide that flew over before Wenham and Richards combined to create another opportunity for Olapido, but his shot was saved comfortably by Burford.

It was then the visitors turn to enjoy the better of the possession without creating clear cut chances. Cowin fired well over after a free kick was knocked out to him. Cowin then turned creator when his cross was knocked out as far as Kelvin Bakare Okon who hooked wide of the near post.

As the game went into time added on, Bird couldn’t get a clean hit on a shot and it went wide then VCD substitute Cameron Andrews fizzed a shot just over with virtually the last kick of the match after Firth, under pressure, had only been able to push it out to the edge of the area.

While Erith were celebrating climbing out of the bottom four, the visitors were left to rue not making more of the second half corner count of six against none in their favour.

Erith Town: Firth; Nesbitt, Jayaguru, Wenham; Hilden (Valler 63); Northwood, Turner, Richards, Dythe (Christmas 71); Oladipo (O’Mara-Knapp 89), Brooke (Bakunda-Hatega 63).

Unused sub: Milton. 

Goal scorers: Brooke (37)

Yellow cards: Christmas (90+2 foul), Northwood (90+5 kicking the ball away)

VCD Athletic: Burford, Lawrence, Fitchett, Fenn (Christie 45), Cowin; Bryon (Andrews 71); Ikebuasi (Bakare Okon 80), Bird, Evans, Kileba (Deakin 60); Nelson.

Unused sub: Ozobia. 

Goal scorer: None

Yellow card: None

Referee: Sam Wigington

Assistants: Ellis Lander and James Perry

Attendance: 153