Saturday's Ryman North action review

Two first half goals, one from Luke Callander on 10 minutes and the other from Jordan Blackwell after 35 minutes, set AFC on the way in a 45 minutes that the home side dominated.

The visitors were far grittier at the start of the second period and while looking the better side, pulled a goal back through Jay Nash on 57 minutes.

But AFC regrouped and substitutes Liam Wales scored in the 70th minute followed by Danny Cunningham on his return to the club in the 82nd minute before Blackwell got his second of the match with four minutes to go.

It proved to be a good day for the leaders, who were the only side who started out in the top five to win.

Second-placed Thurrock had to be content with a point from a 2-2 draw at Haringey Borough, who led through two goals in three minutes, starting with Anthony MacDonald`s in the 13th and then Josh Willer.

Crucially, Thurrock grabbed one back a minute before the break through Harry Agombar and then equalised through Dave Cowley with 16 minutes remaining.

Brightlingsea Regent gave their own play-off hopes a massive boost as they pulled off a 1-0 victory at third-placed Harlow Town.

Terry Rymer’s seventh minute goal which rebounded off the bar and over the line – took seventh-placed Regent to within three points of fifth-placed Cheshunt.

Continuing the theme of surprise outcomes, fourth-placed AFC Hornchurch lost 2-1 at Bridge Road to an Aveley outfit who suffered a 4-0 loss at Tilbury a week ago – their third successive defeat.

But, despite leading through David Knight`s 27th minute opener, the Urchins conceded two goals in the final 15 minutes to Perry Dunn and Kyle Asante.

With Cray Wanderers playing on Sunday, Cheshunt moved into the top five after recording a 1-0 win at Theobalds Lane against mid-table Phoenix Sports – Jason Hallett the scorer with less than nine minutes left on the clock.

Thamesmead Town are four points behind the Ambers in eighth after edging a seven-goal thriller at Bayliss Avenue against third-bottom Waltham Abbey.

Harrison Carnegie gave Mead a 24th minute lead that Chris Assombalonga cancelled out just two minutes later.

He then put the Abbots in front just three minutes later, only for the home side to race into a 4-2 lead with goals from Paul Vines after 38 and 54 minutes, sandwiched by Gaz Dauti on 51 minutes.

Assombalonga completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute, but Mead held out to remain in contention for a top five slot.

At the other end of the table, bottom-markers Redbridge suffered a damaging 5-0 hammering at tenth-placed Dereham Town and are twelve points adrift of the safety-mark.

Luke Tuttle netted a hat-trick for the hosts with goals in the 12th, 37th and 70th minutes, with Craig Bussens on 25 minutes and Sam Borrer a minute later, adding the others.

There was a hugely-important victory for Heybridge Swifts, who boosted their survival hopes by beating second-bottom Barkingside.

Swifts moved five points clear of the drop zone as Lewis Godbold scored their goal in first half injury-time. Earlier, George Cole had seen a penalty saved by Barkingside keeper Tyler McCarthy.

Wroxham stand between Heybridge and the bottom three and they shared a goalless draw at Trafford Park against Witham Town, who are now seven points in front of the relegation places.

Romford are level on points with Heybridge after going down to a 2-0 defeat at home to mid-table Maldon & Tiptree.

Ben Wyatt after 10 minutes and Sam Newson 14 minutes later scored the Jammers` goals.

Elsewhere, Tilbury beat Bury Town 3-1 at Chadfields with all the goals coming after the hour-mark, including a brace for the Dockers` Kurt Smith – Neil Richmond adding the other – Dan Hammett replying for the Blues.

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