BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent maintained the pressure on the front-runners in the race for the Ryman League division north title with a three-point haul against Waltham Abbey.

Having lost their previous league outing to Phoenix Sports, Regent were keen to boost their own title bid and they did that with a 2-1 victory at North Road.

However, they had to come from behind to do it.

Abbey gave the hosts something to think about at half-time after Billy Holland gave them the lead just before the break, but Brightlingsea came out fighting after the restart.

The visitors’ advantage lasted only until the 56th minute when Regent striker Phil Kelly pulled them level and they snatched the winner in the 84th minute with a goal from Josh Gould.

The win kept Brightlingsea pressing behind division north leaders MALDON & TIPTREE, who gave their title aspirations a huge lift as they triumphed in the battle of the top two.

The Jammers were facing second-placed Cheshunt at Park Drive and, like Brightlingsea, had to come from behind to earn three points.

Prolific Cheshunt striker Jason Hallett gave the visitors the lead in the 26th minute, however, it lasted just seven minutes.

Adam Mills pulled Maldon level to make it 1-1 at the break and they pulled clear with a dominant show in the second half to wrap up a 4-1 victory.

Kyle Hammond gave the Jammers the lead in the 55th minute, with Tarryn Allarakhia putting them further ahead nine minutes later and the win was completed by Rhys Henry’s late strike.

The win put Maldon four points clear at the top of the table although they have played a game more than Brightlingsea.

There wasn’t such positive news for HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS or WITHAM TOWN though.

Swifts went down to a third consecutive division north defeat as they lost 3-2 at Haringey Borough in a game where all the goals came in the first half.

Adam Markus put the hosts ahead in the tenth minute, but Heybridge responded well to the setback and hit back with goals from Reece Grant and George Cole in the 14th and 23rd minutes.

It wasn’t a lead they could hold on to, though, as three minutes after Cole’s strike, Rakim Richards pulled Borough level and Anthony McDonald put them ahead just before half-time.

Heybridge were unable to restore parity again as neither side was able to find the target after the break.

There was also a defeat for Witham as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Great Wakering Rovers.

Jake Gordon’s 15th minute goal proved decisive for the visitors, who managed to hold on to their lead despite being reduced to ten men for the final 35 minutes after Gordon was sent off.