Bottom club put up a fight

Ilford, who had picked up their first point for ten games in midweek, held out until the 53rd minute, when Dave Bryan’s penalty broke the deadlock. Jamie Guy added his 17th league goal and Dave Wareham wrapped it up.

Free-scoring Heybridge reclaimed second place with a 4-0 home win over Waltham Forest, taking their league-leading goal tally to 67. Michael Cheek put them ahead with his 18th league goal, Solomon Ofori added another and, on the stroke of half-time, Luke Callander became the first player to notch 20 Ryman League goals this season. He added his 21st with 14 minutes left.

The shock of the day came at Rush Green, where Grays crashed to their first home defeat of the season as mid-table Cheshunt romped to a 4-1 win. Courtney White scored after four minutes but the real damage was done in a three-minute spell soon after half-time, when Tony Burke converted a penalty and White made it 3-0. Cheshunt’s Tommy Fletcher was sent off shortly afterwards and Joe Sweeney pulled one back with ten minutes left before Dave Greene had the last word.

Aveley returned to the play-off spots after their 3-2 win at Sudbury halted the home side’s recent surge up the table. Jordan Cox put the Millers in front in the 41st minute only for James Baker to level matters before the interval, the usually-prolific striker’s first goal of an injury-plagued season.

Leon Antoine fired Sudbury ahead in the 56th minute but Cox quickly replied with his second of the afternoon and Junior Dadson nabbed the winner in the 67th minute.

Aveley took over fourth place from Potters Bar, who went down 3-1 at Brentwood. Alex Read shone for Brentwood, setting up the 20th-minute opener for Daryl Robson and scoring himself a minute later.

Daniel Ailey missed a penalty for the Scholars before half-time and Read converted a spot-kick for Brentwood just after the hour, his 25th goal in league and FA competitions. Ailey pulled one back three minutes later but that was all.

The Scholars stay in the top five; Thamesmead, who could have overtaken them, had their game at Waltham Abbey postponed and dropped one place to seventh, behind Soham who maintained their steady progress up the table with a 2-1 home win over Harlow.

Buster Harradine scored twice in two first-half minutes with a free-kick and a header. That was enough, although Joe O’Donoghue put Harlow back in the game with a long-range strike moments before the interval.

Tilbury stayed in the picture, coming from behind to win 3-1 at Redbridge. Jacob Cleaver put the Motormen ahead after 14 minutes but it did not take long for the Dockers to turn it round through Sam Cutler (pictured by Elliot Mercer) and Tom Wraight. A late penalty by Aaron Waters made sure.

Redbridge remain just a point above Ilford, as do Ware after their 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Witham. It was 1-1 after eight minutes, with Tom Devaux putting the visitors ahead and Nathain Hilaire replying. Emeka Onwubiko restored Witham’s lead before half-time and Sam Taylor made it 3-1 on 64 minutes.

Ware were given new hope when Tony Martin’s shot struck the bar and went in off keeper Danny Sambridge, but Rob Whitnell clinched the points with four minutes left.

Chatham crushed visiting Romford with five unanswered goals, though it was close for most of the game. Lee Hales opened the scoring three minutes before half-time and it was the 73rd minute before Harry Smith headed the second. Matt Solly converted an 81st-minute penalty and a late flurry brought second goals for Hales and Smith in added time.

It was an uneventful affair at Wroxham, where Needham Market drew 1-1. Danny Bloomfield gave the visitors the lead with a 26th-minute penalty and Ross Durrant replied three minutes later.