Two winning runs were put on the line in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division and it was Stowmarket Town’s whose stayed intact while Stanway Rovers’ came to an end.

Rovers had won their previous six games and scored 25 goals in that time, while Stowmarket came into the league fixture on the back of a seven-game winning sequence of their own.

So it was set to be a tight tussle and one that was edged by the Suffolk side thanks to some late drama served up by former Brightlingsea Regent and Witham Town striker Josh Mayhew.

Mayhew had put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute as he tucked away his 27th goal of the season, but Rovers hit back and a period of pressure ended with an own goal levelling the score with 20 minutes to go.

However, there was a late twist as Mayhew added a 28th to his season’s tally by snatching a 90th minute winner for a 2-1 Stowmarket victory.

In Bostik League division north, WITHAM TOWN were looking for another good result after breaking their 12-game winless run at AFC Hornchurch last weekend.

And they found what they were looking for as they backed up their win against the Urchins with a 2-0 victory against division north leaders Dereham Town.

Witham’s 2-0 home win came courtesy of a pair of second-half penalties – both dispatched from the spot by Elliot Ronto.

There was also Essex Senior Cup action for COGGESHALL TOWN and WIVENHOE TOWN, but the Thurlow Nunn League premier division sides both lost out to higher-placed opponents.

Coggeshall were beaten by a single Darrell Marshall goal in the first half of their trip to Bostik League division north side Waltham Abbey as they lost 1-0.

Wivenhoe, meanwhile, were unable to get to grips with Vanarama National League South opposition as a trip to Concord Rangers ended in a 6-0 defeat for the Dragons.

Braces from Steve Cawley and Ben Greenhalgh and one apiece for Adam Topley and Steve King saw the Beach Boys ease into the fourth round.