An astonishing run of success was extended, important wins were claimed in the promotion race and points were gathered amid a feast of scoring on a day when the fight to be the Thurlow Nunn League’s star performers proved intense among north Essex sides.

While they may not have shaken up the look of the division one south table too much, there were some significant results for local clubs.

One of the most eye-catching came as fourth-placed Harwich & Parkeston hosted the side directly below them – May & Baker.

Both remained in those respective positions at the end of the day, but the Shrimpers have opened a five-point gap to their rivals after a 1-0 triumph thanks to a goal from Tyler Rose.

It extended Harwich’s winning run to an incredible 11 games and will have rung warning bells among the sides above them, but it’s not enough to win the top performance award.

Another side vying for that is one of those three teams above Harwich – Halstead Town.

The Humbugs’ trip to Benfleet was their first action since Boxing Day and a quick start back was imperative for Mark McLean’s side, so the boss will have been pleased to see them win 1-0.

It wasn’t straightforward, though, as keeper Jack Cherry had to make three superb saves in the first half and they had to wait for a late Jordan Pavett strike to take the points.

Halstead stayed third after their win, however, the award for top performance on the day goes to a team that had two hat-trick heroes in their ranks – Brightlingsea Regent Reserves.

It was 17th facing 15th as Regent Reserves hosted Braintree Town Reserves and the home side proved clinical in front of goal as they heaped misery on their visitors with four strikes in each half for an 8-0 win.

Charlie Lindoe and Charlie Gilbert both recorded trebles for Brightlingsea and Alex Taylor and Alexis Pryke were also on target in a focused display that was worthy of the star performance award.

Another side enjoying success against a local rival was Holland FC, who inflicted a tenth straight defeat on Wivenhoe Town.

Holland had to come from behind after a debut Dragons goal for Calum Holyman in the first half, but they equalised almost immediately to make it level at half-time and then went ahead after the break.

Ashley Sauka pulled Wivenhoe equal again, but Holland had the last laugh as they hit a third to make it 3-2.

Two other sides also hit three goals on the day.

Little Oakley did in a 3-0 win at Lopes Tavares and Coggeshall United also won 3-0 on the road as goals from Andy Fennell, Sam Cripps and Matt Travell earned them the points.

In the premier division, Jake Clowsley marked his return to FC Clacton with a notable strike as he scored the only goal in the Seasiders’ 1-0 win at Long Melford.

It was Clacton’s second success in a row and there was also a memorable result on the road for Brantham Athletic.

The Imps travelled to leaders Godmanchester Rovers and came away with a point as two George Clarke goals earned them a 2-2 draw.

In the Essex Senior League, Stanway Rovers were unable to return to winning ways as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Enfield 1893.