In a tight local derby, Phoenix Sports edged out a youthful Erith Town team to move within four points of league leaders Erith and Belvedere.

Ladic Melconian had the first goal attempt for the visitors but Andy Walker made a regulation save then the Sports’ goalkeeper followed up with a good low stop at full length from a Jason Miles effort from twenty-five yards.

Donnell Anderson tested Erith custodian McKenzie Foley but he was equal to it with a good tip over then the Dockers again came close when Steadman Callender tried a curler from a wide angle that went just beyond the angle of bar and post.

Alfie Evans drew a diving save out of Foley before he opened the scoring with an excellent strike from distance into the bottom corner.

There were no further clear cut chances for the remainder of the first half, but the second period started in explosive fashion. Sixteen year old Dockers midfield player Hayden Bullas limped off to be replaced by Malik Nosike and before the visitors had a chance to settle, they went further behind.

A long free kick was only half cleared and Tashi-Jay Kwayie struck his volley home sweetly from ten yards out.

Two minutes later, Erith pulled one back when Rodney Eruotor cut in from the left and curled it into the top corner.

Foley did well to push a header by Thomas Hanfrey round the post before the Dockers came close when Eruotor burst through but Walker made a crucial block save.

They continued to strive for an equaliser and again came close when Jerome Jayaguru volleyed just wide as Phoenix struggled to defend a corner in the swirling wind before an Andy Pugh shot for the Sports drew an excellent low save by Foley.

Lucas King fired over for Phoenix after clever work by Ryan Hayes and Kwayie but it was the Dockers who had the last chance when a corner was not cleared and Eruotor shot first time just over.

Eight games remain for each team, and both still have much at stake as the season looks to be building to an exciting conclusion.

Phoenix Sports: Walker, Douglas, Bourne, Dalton, Sawyer, Hanfrey, Hayes (Babalola 84), Anderson (King 67), Kwayie, Pugh, Evans.

Subs not used: Cousins, Atkins, Long.

Goal scorers: Evans (27), Kwayie (50)

Yellow cards: Dalton, O’Boyle, Pugh, Walker.

Erith Town: Foley, Carrington, McClean (Chalker 90), Jayaguru, Melconian (Humphris 82), Ash, Bullas (Nosike 48), Miles, Callender (Eldridge 75), Taylor, Eruotor.

Unused sub: Trueman.

Goal scorers: Eruotor (52)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Samuel Hall

Assistants: Kieran Williamson and Michael Corderoy

Attendance: 210