Spillane's men beat the jinx

He was presented with the Ryman North awards for October, November and December by league vice-chairman Nick Robinson and secretary Kellie Discipline (pictured by Eliza Garty).

But there was to be no bad luck for Spillane’s men unless you consider a 13-point lead to be unlucky, for that was the margin they established with their 3-2 victory.

A perfect pass by Joe Gardner sent Chris Bryan clear to open the scoring on eight minutes and Maldon seemed to have a god case for a penalty when Bryan was brought down three minutes later. But play went on and, seconds later, Jose Espinoza lashed the ball into the net at the other end to equalise.

Maldon played some delightful football but wasted some good chances before Bryan’s deflected shot put them ahead again five minutes before half-time.

Gardner’s 71st-minute tap-in made it 3-1 but the spirited visitors responded three minutes later through Josh Hutchinson.

Maldon held on, however, and their opponents drop to eighth, one place below Witham who moved up with a 2-0 success at Chatham.

Both goals came from Rob Whitnell, the first on the half-hour and the second immediately after the interval, as Chatham slumped to their eighth home defeat.

Four other games were scheduled in the division but they were postponed. One was at Brentwood, who have yet to complete their 20th league match and face a hectic time in the next few weeks.