THE WHITE Tigers battled well but ultimately slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Billericay Town.
On a blustery afternoon we were caught cold early on when a ball in from Coombes was seized upon by Emmanuel to open the scoring with barely three minutes on the clock.
As we looked to get into the game, Niall Thompson set up Jared Lewington who was denied by the ‘keeper.
There was a great chance for us to level matters in the seventh minute when Connor Riley-Lowe delivered a delicious ball onto the head of Tyler Harvey who rattled the woodwork.
The home side went close just moments before they did manage to double their advantage when Coombes saw his effort blocked and Emmanuel was alert to guide the rebound home for his second of the afternoon.
It made our task an even more tricky one but we managed to get back in it with ten minutes to go until the break when Riley-Lowe crossed well once more and this time the ‘keeper failed to collect as Nick Grimes turned in the loose ball.
There was a let-off when Deering went close whilst at the other end, Lewington was just off target.
We ended the half strongly as firstly some neat play ended with Ben Rowthorn getting in an effort that had the sting took out of it by a deflection then Michael Herve fired over.
The start of the second period saw our hosts go close before we were able to get back on level terms when a corner was only half-cleared and Grimes was able to head home for his second to make it 2-2.
Boosted by the good, we were seeing plenty of the ball and Ben Harding went close before Alex Battle also dragged an attempt wide of the target.
It was developing into an end-to-end encounter as both sides fancied their chances of winning it.
A free-kick from Riley-Lowe was saved before the home side should have taken the lead through Lafayette who sliced wide when put clean through.
It was a let-off for us, but our relief was short-lived as in the next attack, Derring fired beyond the reach of Harvey Rivers to put his side back in front.
Falling behind again was a real blow and we made a couple of changes to try and get back into it.
There were shouts for a penalty on 81 minutes when Harvey went down as he looked to latch on to Riley-Lowe’s pass but the referee waved away the protests and it allowed the home side to break and almost add to their lead.
Some positive play from Thompson saw him make good progress and as he fed Louis Rooney, the substitute had his strike blocked.
We were almost caught out right at the death as we pushed up in search of a leveller when Lafayette found himself through again but he screwed his effort wide of the target.
There was still time for us to force a corner with virtually the last kick but despite putting plenty of bodies in the box, we were unable to force an equaliser as we made the long journey home pointless.

WHITE TIGERS: Rivers, Thompson, Riley-Lowe, Grimes, J. Richards, Harding (Allen 72), Harvey, Herve (Copp 76), Rowthorn, Battle, Lewington (L. Rooney 67). Subs not used: Ziboth, D. Rooney.
GOAL(S): Grimes (2).
ATTENDANCE: 820.

PHOTOS: Josh Miller.