Dan Perry continued his recent rich vein of form with a controversial late winner as Bridges took the points at The Artic Stadium.
Perry appeared to control a long ball from Joe Stone with the upper part of his arm before firing low past Chris Lewington six minutes from time to send Valley to a second consecutive defeat in their chase for promotion.
New signing Ian Gayle – brother of Denzel – deputised on the left side of the defence in the absence of Alex Brefo while Matt Warren returned to midfield at the expense of Hassan Ibrahiym as Valley looked to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Ashford United.
And Valley started the match very much on the front foot, forcing a succession of corners in the opening minutes before Bridges were able to establish a foothold – Chris Lewington being forced to push away Perry’s 5th minute effort after being set up by Charlie Lambert.
But after a goalless first half of unfulfilled attacking endeavour from both sides, the match took on a more feisty character shortly after the interval as Valley’s Nathan Green and Bridges’ Tad Bromage were cautioned in two separate, while related, incidents.
The deadlock was broken just before the hour when Cameron Lawson’s ball across the 6 yard box was turned past Valley keeper Chris Lewington by defender Connor Dymond while under pressure from Perry.
Denzel Gayle had a shot well saved by Bridges’ custodian Mitch Bromage after being played in by Anthony Edgar before the hosts struck back in the 71st minute.
After good work by Marcel Barrington, Denzel Gayle’s cross was headed clear for a Valley corner. Edgar’s resultant flag kick caused havoc in the penalty area as Cem Tumkaya had a shot cleared off the line, before Green’s follow-up effort appeared to strike a defender’s arm. The ball however then fell to Dymond 12 yards out, who leathered the ball through the packed goalmouth to fire Valley level.
Bridges had opportunities to restore their lead as Charlie Lambert’s low cross just managed to evade Perry arriving at the far post, before Perry himself missed a good chance, dragging a low shot across Lewington’s goal when well placed.
With Valley themselves pushing for the winner however, Perry struck his nineteenth goal of the season to secure the points for the visitors as Valley slipped to 4th place in the table.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – CONNOR DYMOND – Typical committed performance from the Millers’ skipper

MATCH RATING: - ****

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond ©, Green, Semakula, Tumkaya, D.Gayle, Barrington, Adeyemo, Warren (Ibrahiym 69), I.Gayle, Edgar
Substitutes Not Used : Blanks, Babalola, Day, Sterling-Parker
Caution : Green

BRIDGES : M.Bromage, Stone, Ashley, Wilson, T.Bromage, Brackpool, Gayler, O’Neill ©, Perry, Lawson, Lambert (Ferreria 89)
Substitutes Not used: Young, Leighton, Jeffrey
Cautions : Wilson, T.Bromage, Brackpool

Referee : Callum Peter
Assistants : Nicholas Monkman and Michael Taylor

Pic – Debutant Ian Gayle fires a header goalwards

Match Photos and Video by Michael Brown - @BSportsphotos
Match Highlights - https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/videos/cray-valley-highlights--cray-valley-pm-fc-vs-three-bridges-fc-532022-176940.html
More photos can be found on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3411403935660432&type=3

More pics courtesy of Non League Paper Photographer Ed Boyden
https://www.edboydenphotos.co.uk/p781057791