Anvils stretch their lead

The Ryman South leaders moved three points clear as a Baff Addae double earned them a 3-1 home victory over Herne Bay.

Luke Blewden put the Anvils ahead after 20 minutes but the visitors drew level 12 minutes later through Byron Walker and the result remained in the balance until Addae broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute and added another five minutes from time.

Burgess Hill had the edge in a scrappy affair at Corinthian-Casuals and collected maximum points with a lone goal from Ryan McBride with 20 minutes left.

The action came even later at Ramsgate, where a foul on Sam Tucknott allowed Merstham to take a 1-0 lead with a Fabio Saraiva penalty in the 82nd minute.

The hosts refused to give up and were denied by a post before Ian Pulman grabbed an 89th-minute equaliser. Just back at the club from Whitstable, Pulman became the first player to score for two Ryman League sides this season.

There was another season’s first in the only Ryman North fixture. An early header by Nick Reynolds (pictured courtesy of Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo) gave Romford a 1-0 home win over Ilford and the first double of the campaign.

They had won 2-0 at Ilford on Bank Holiday Monday and the return match was brought forward after both teams were eliminated from the FA Cup.