Brentwood Town move back up to third after an entertaining 3-2 victory over Waltham Abbey, to move them up to third in the table.

Sam Bantick’s brace and a Tom Richardson goal in between was enough to see off Waltham despite two goals from Captain Jason Hallet.

Waltham took the lead 12 minutes in as a free-kick by Tom Bruno was whipped in and met by a bullet header by Jason Hallett.

Brentwood almost equalised moments later as a ball in by Robbie Rees fell to Martyn Stokes on the edge of the six yard box but was denied by a great reflex save by Jayden Purdue.

At the other end a lashed shot by Bruno across goal, was turned towards goal by Darren Williams but went just over the bar.

Brentwood did equalise just before the half hour mark from a great solo run by Bantick down the left, he beat two defenders and fired a shot which crept inside the near post.

Robbie Rees was in on goal as Alex Akrofi slotted him in, he burst towards goal but his first touch let him down as Purdue smothered it.

Brentwood took the lead two minutes into the second half, as the corner was whipped in not dealt with by the keeper and Richardson pounced on the loose ball from two yards out.

‘The Blues’ nearly extended their lead as Richardson was away down the left, clipped a lovely ball to the far post for Rees on the volley which was saved again by the outstretched hand of Purdue.

The home side did extend their lead just before the hour mark as Daryl Robson slotted the ball into the space for Bantick, he went round the keeper and tucked it in for his 11th league goal of the season.

‘The Abbey’ nearly grabbed a goal back as James Peagram was put through on goal, he battled with Christian Mbulu which was enough to put Peagram off as his shot was straight at Bowles.

Waltham again pressing to get back in the game as Peagram slotted the ball in for Hallett his shot was saved by Bowles, then rebounded back off Hallett and somehow went wide.

The visitors grabbed a goal back four minutes from time as a long free-kick was whipped in by Bruno, Bowles in no man’s land for Hallett to head into an empty net. Which turned out to only be an equaliser as Brentwood saw out the final minutes to move up to third.

Brentwood Town Lineup: Ollie Bowles, Louis Baucutt, Ryan O’Rawe, Martyn Stokes ©, Christian Mbulu, Daryl Robson, James Love, Sam Bantick, Alex Akrofi (80), Tom Richardson (67)

Substitutes: Emmanuel Osei (67), Shad Ngandu (80), Marcus Milner, Tommy Oliver, Ryan Mcfarlane

Waltham Abbey Lineup: Jayden Purdue, Matt Attard, Jack Daveney, Darren Williams, Joe Kizzi, Sam Chaney, James Elmes (72), Tom Bruno, Jason Hallett ©, Darelle Russell (59), James Peagram

Substitutes: Ben Hart, Russell Pond (59), Tyler Bolton (71), John Docker, Matt Bedford

Attendance: 103