Early double fires Grays to top

The hosts started the game in second place but were stunned as Jack West and Harry Agombar struck in the first 16 minutes. Grays are a point clear of Maldon but the previous leaders have two games in hand.

Heybridge moved closer to the leading group with a 3-2 home win over Cheshunt, who led twice. After a goalless first half, Andrew West put the visitors ahead immediately after the restart and, after Luke Callander levelled matters five minutes later, Tony Burke put the Ambers ahead again on the hour. Michael Cheek squared it once more and Callander grabbed the winner with eight minutes left.

The most predictable result was at Thamesmead, who made it five home wins out of five by beating bottom club Ware, yet to take a point on their travels. But it was not as easy as the respective records might suggest and Thamesmead had to settle for a single goal from Jack Hopkins in the 34th minute.

Chances galore went astray at both ends as Brentwood and Waltham Abbey somehow reached half-time with the scoresheet blank. Abbey’s Chris Sargent headed home a corner after 57 minutes to break the deadlock and Clark Akers punished the home side’s failure to clear their lines nine minutes later to give the Abbotts a 2-0 victory.