Draws – for Southend United and Dagenham & Redbridge (Images: Southend United and Dagenham & Redbridge)

Southend United and Dagenham & Redbridge both had to settle for a point a piece on their travels after draws to Oxford City and York City respectively. 

On the back of a convincing 7-1 win over Oxford, the Daggers took the lead through Jake Hessenthaler but Ryan Fallowfield drew level two minutes before the break. Southend, winless in three, have been struggling for form of late and were perhaps lucky to escape with a draw following Nathan Ralph’s second half sending-off.

Aveley secured a 1-0 win at fellow promotion hopefuls Hampton & Richmond Borough in the Vanarama National League South and Braintree Town beat Torquay United 1-0. Chelmsford City’s promotion charge continued after running out as 3-0 victors at Eastbourne Borough.

Hornchurch’s march towards the Isthmian Premier Divison title continued with a 3-0 victory over lowly Haringey Borough. Billericay Town, sitting in third place, slipped up with a 2-1 home defeat to Horsham where ex-Blues striker Shamir Fenelon netted the winner.

Canvey Island weren’t able to follow up last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Billericay with a victory as they made the trip to Margate with Ben Greenhalgh netting a hat-trick in the Gulls’ 3-2 defeat. Island rivals Concord Rangers also lost, falling to a 2-1 home defeat to Dulwich Hamlet and Hashtag United drew 0-0 at Wingate & Finchley.

The Isthmian North Division derby between Heybridge Swifts and Brentwood Town saw the latter secure a 2-1 away win thanks to George Sykes’ strike with 20 minutes remaining. Bowers & Pitsea, who hosted league leaders Lowestoft Town, fell to a 3-1 defeat, struggling Grays Athletic lost 4-0 at home to Walthamstow and Maldon & Tiptree’s trip to Gorleston saw them lose 4-2.

It was honours even between Redbridge and Brightlingsea Regent in a 1-1 draw while Witham Town secured a 2-1 away triumph at New Salamis.