GAVIN TOMLIN’S 20 YARD STRIKE EARNED THE MILLERS A CRUCIAL POINT as two title contenders met in this entertaining encounter at The Artic Stadium.
The draw extended Valley’s nine match unbeaten league run, while maintaining a four point cushion above early season pacesetters Heath.
Consequences of the hard earned win at Hastings United saw The Millers make two changes from last week’s starting line-up – David Ompreon and Hassan Ibrahiym and replacing the stricken Francis Babalola and Jack Sammoutis, while Ade Adeyemo was unable to take his place on the bench.
But after the visitors made a lively start to the game, it was Valley who went close to striking the first blow. Rory Hill’s close range header from Denzel Gayle‘s 11th minute right wing cross was clawed to safety by an excellent flying save from Heath ‘keeper Billy Collings.
After striker Marcel Barrington’s jinking run on the right saw him hit the foot of Collings’ post in the 17th minute, it was Heath who took the lead shortly before half time.
Josh Clack’s low cross from the right was scuffed beyond Chris Lewington by Sam Remfrey from 8 yards out.
There was still time for Barrington to again strike the post in first half stoppage time as his turn and shot from the edge of the 18 yard box hit the foot of the left hand upright.
Valley upped the ante as the second half got under way with Ibrahiym firing high and wide following a fine jinking run in the visitors penalty area, before finally getting their reward fifteen minutes from time.
Following a spell of sustained pressure, Gavin Tomlin – on as a 25th minute substitute for hamstring victim Gayle – turned and struck home a fierce drive from 20 yards to open his account for the season.
This ensured a thrilling finale as Valley applied pressure in an attempt to find a winner – Hill twice failing to convert as the ball fell to him in the six yard box – while Heath continued to threaten on the break as Liam Benson fired wide after the Millers defence failed to clear their lines.
The final chance fell to Connor Dymond on the edge of the Heath penalty area but his effort narrowly cleared the crossbar.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – HASSAN IBRAHIYM – A welcome return to a weakened Millers midfield.

MATCH RATING: - ****

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond, Blamks ©, Tumkaya, Gayle (Tomlin 25), Barrington, Brefo, Warren, Ompreon, Hill, Ibrahiym
Substitutes Not used : Osborne, Semakula, Salmon, N’Guessan
Cautions : Brefo

HEATH : Collings, Rowe, Gilbert, Napper, Cooper, Christie, Clack, Ndozid, Remfry (Cravid 82), Dos Santos (Benson 87), Robinson
Substitutes Not used: Ewerse, Holden, Graves
Cautions : Christie, Napper

Referee : Aaron Farmer
Assistants : Jack Luckman and Andrew Hickman

Pic – Alex Brefo challenges Collings to a cross as The Millers put pressure on the visitors’ goal

Match video by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
Match Highlights - Cray Valley FC Highlights - Cray Valley (PM) FC vs Haywards Heath Town FC - YouTube
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-fc-highlights--cray-valley-pm-fc-vs-haywards-heath-town-fc-173700.html

Photos: Brownie Sports Photography - @BSportsphotos
Marcel Barrington with a first half strike that hit the foot of the post.