BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT took another stride towards winning the Ryman League division north title after a 3-2 victory at Haringey Borough.

James Webster’s side started the day nine points clear at the top but facing arguably their hardest remaining fixture, against the division’s most in-form team.

However, Regent, themselves in exceptional form, secured a hard-earned victory thanks to two goals from long-serving Josh Gould and a third from substitute Billy Hunt.

Speaking in Friday’s Gazette, Brightlingsea assistant boss Chris Smith had warned that his side would have to be focused and switched on from the start, given the hosts’ tendency to score early goals.

And it was Regent who opened the scoring with a fourth-minute goal scored by Gould.

The defender put his side in front after heading home from a corner.

Chris Benjamin equalised for the hosts, making it all-square at the break.

However, Gould soon popped up with his second, following up after a headed effort from Jake Turner’s free-kick came back off the Borough bar.

Gould was then involved in Regent’s third, launching one of his trademark long throws into the box.

Hunt, who had replaced Tom Richardson, produced a spectacular overhead kick to make it 3-1.

Haringey pulled one back through Adrian Markus but Regent held on for three precious points, heading into back-to-back home games against AFC Hornchurch and Romford.

Like Regent, second-placed MALDON AND TIPTREE made a dream start in their vital match at Thamesmead Town.

There were just seven minutes on the clock when Liam Nash steered them in front, volleying home from close range after a perfect cross from Tyler Brampton.

It proved the only goal of the game, as Maldon produced an excellent performance to win 1-0.

Elsewhere, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS built on their excellent midweek point and clean sheet at Thurrock as they came from behind to beat Ware 2-1 at Scraley Road.

Lee White put the visitors ahead but Adam Adeoye Yuseff levelled early in the second half and in-form striker Reece Grant popped up with a winner on 86 minutes.

Swifts are now unbeaten in three games.

WITHAM TOWN were also victorious, winning 2-1 at home to Tilbury.

Ryan Charles put them in front six minutes before the break but it proved only a short-lived advantage, as Tony Martin’s penalty two minutes later made it 1-1.

However, Max Bradford grabbed a winner 20 minutes from time for Adam Flint’s side.

It was their third straight win and fourth in five games.