DIVISION ONE NORTH Tilbury 2 Northwood 2
Northwood's play-off progress suffered another jolt when they were held to a 2-2 draw at in-form Tilbury despite coming from behind to lead in the second half.
The Woods have banked just six points from the last five games, four of those away from home, and they still have work to do to hold on to a top five place.
Dave Anderson's side is now four points clear of Concord Rangers with eight games to go but Redbridge, with 14 still to play, could yet make a late run.
Mark Burgess replaced Michael Peacock at the heart of defence and the Woods dominated the early stages without creating much in front of goal.
The hosts gradually worked their way into the game and soon after Greg Cohen fired over the bar the Dockers went ahead when unmarked Nathan Philip headed home at a corner.
Northwood were slow to respond but Eugene Ofori led the line well and from one of his through balls Rob Ursell, playing due to Kyle Matthews' absence, went clear only to see his shot blocked by the outstretched foot and hand of keeper Andy Hall. After 36 minutes they had another great chance when Junior Baker made a hash of a pass back and a goal seemed inevitable until Ofori, yet to score for the Woods, ignored Ursell and his shot was saved by Hall on his near post.
A minute later Ofori turned provider for Gary Burrell but his shot on the turn lacked power and then Ursell showed his usual tricks to leave a defender trailing only to cross straight into Hall's hands.
The half finished with John Christian slicing well wide from Burrell's cross and that was the latter's final contribution as Anderson replaced Burrell and Solomon Henry with Hugo Figueiredo and Dwain Williams for the start of the second half, with Williams moving into an unfamiliar forward role. Immediately after the restart Williams won a header to find Ofori who set up Figueiredo and the Portuguese winger fired home with his first touch.
Mitch Swain made a rare save from Philip and Northwood's two subs combined again on 55 minutes, leading to Williams firing in a shot which Hall failed to hold. Ofori chipped the loose ball across goal but no one could apply the required touch.
However, an Ofori strike led to a 63rd minute corner and from that Anthony Page headed down and defender Brad Hewitt cemented his position as the team's leading scorer with a stab into the far corner - his sixth of the season.
Ofori was looking sharp everywhere except in front of goal and he flashed a header wide after Williams broke through and the Woods were left to rue their missed chances. Tilbury substitute Umaru Turay sped past Holland and around Burgess before sliding a shot across Swain and into the net.
Danny Brown came on for Ursell and in the final 10 minutes Northwood pressed again. Page played in Ofori who held off one challenge but shot over and the striker had one final chance three minutes from time after Figueiredo and Williams combined but this time he fired wide of the mark.
NORTHWOOD: Swain, Holland, Tackley, Burgess, Henry (Williams 46), Hewitt, Christian, Page, Ursell (Brown 79), Ofori, Burrell (Figueiredo 46). Subs not used: Meakin, Pearce.
Goals, Tilbury: Philip 21; Turay 73. Woods: Figueiredo 46; Hewitt 63. Attendance: 55.
