Witham stay in the hunt

That lifted Witham above their victims into sixth place, just three points behind Aveley who do, however, have two games in hand. Soham’s hopes seem to have gone but they have done remarkably well to become play-off candidates after taking longer than any other club to collect their first point of the season.

Scott Pethers missed a penalty for the home side before Daniel Lopes put them ahead on the half-hour and Lewis Godbold headed their second early in the second half. Luke Stanley pulled one back eight minutes from time.

Grays moved closer to the title with a 2-0 victory at lowly Ilford. Jeff Hammond scored after only six minutes and Kris Newby added his first goal since his move from East Thurrock in the 55th minute.

Maldon, who have played one more game than the leaders, remained six points behind them with a 1-0 home win over Needham Market. James Robinson scored after 25 minutes. If Maldon avoid defeat against Tilbury on Saturday week they will be the only team in the league to remain unbeaten at home all season.

Four minutes before Robinson’s strike, Stuart Zanone had nabbed the goal which gave Thamesmead their 1-0 home victory over Tilbury. Both sides later hit the woodwork. Thamesmead trail Maldon by five points but have a couple of games in hand.

That trio will almost certainly be the top three at the end of the season, leaving Heybridge, Aveley and maybe Witham to fight it out for fourth place.

Luke Callander moved closer to the golden boot with goals after 19 and 83 minutes in Heybridge’s 2-0 win at Sudbury, taking his haul for the season to 32.

Aveley conceded an early goal to visitors Waltham Forest, Joel Palmer hitting the net in the fifth minute. But Jay Leader headed the equaliser on 35 minutes and deadline recruit Karl Blake put Millers 2-1 up with a deflected free-kick three minutes later. That proved to be the end of the scoring. (action from the game (pictured by Mikey Cartwright).

With only one team going down, Redbridge remain in the hot seat but are now just a point behind Ilford with two games in hand after their 1-1 draw at Cheshunt.

Lamar Lemonius punished a defensive error to put the Motormen ahead after ten minutes and they stayed in front until 12 minutes from time, when Courtney White equalised.

James Gershfield scored his first goal since November as Potters Bar won 3-1 at Ware. Cole Penny put the Scholars ahead in the second minute and Elliot King equalised soon after the interval.

Gershfield, whose sizzling early-season form earned him an unproductive spell in the Premier with Wingate, ended his drought with 11 minutes left and substitute Gary Wharton made sure of the points.

Michael Clarke, one of three youth-team players signed on senior forms by Romford on deadline day, became the second of them to find the net when he scored in the 80th minute to clinch their 2-0 home win over Harlow. He followed Andre Gumbs, who got a debut goal on Easter Monday.

Lewis Francis had a first-half penalty saved by Harlow keeper James Hassell and it was left to David Ottley to open the scoring five minutes after the break. A post denied Joe O’Donoghue a consolation goal for the visitors.

Chatham came from behind to beat visiting Brentwood 2-1. Ross Wall put Blues ahead after 14 minutes but Matt Solly and Garry Tilley turned it round soon after half-time.

A late goal by Ayrton Coley gave Waltham Abbey a 2-1 home win over Wroxham. A Ben Lewis own goal gave the Abbotts an early lead which Matt Daniels wiped out with a 27th-minute penalty.