BOWERS & Pitsea bounced back from two consecutive defeats by securing a 2-0 win over Aveley at the Len Salmon Stadium.

Tony Stokes nodded Bowers in front on the stroke of half-time, while David Knight ensured the hosts would win all three points by adding his name to the scoresheet late on.

Former Bowers goalkeeper Rhys Madden was forced into the first save of the match, but he was equal to Stokes’ low free kick and quickly gathered before Gavin Cockman could latch onto the loose ball.

With less than 15 minutes on the clock, Lewis Clark passed up a golden opportunity to break the deadlock.

The central defender met a Knight corner with an unmarked header, but Clark could not direct his effort on target.

Aveley were struggling to cause the home defence many problems, and Callum Chafer was untroubled for the majority of the first half.

Five minutes before the break, Knight struck the post directly from a corner.

The Millers’ half-clearance came back out to Knight, and Madden got down well to stop the striker’s goalbound attempt.

But Bowers were not to be thwarted as they took the lead on the stroke of half-time.

James Thomas’ blocked strike inadvertently looped over the Millers backline and Stokes was on hand to nod home from close range.

Aveley came close to getting back on level terms soon after the interval as George Doyle’s overhit free kick was tipped over the crossbar by Chafer.

Stokes came close to doubling his tally when good wing play by Jamie Dicks resulted in the ball finding Knight, whose cross was volleyed over the crossbar by the ex-Concord Rangers man.

Just moments later, Chafer stopped Aveley finding an equaliser by spectacularly tipping a Jordan Peart header onto the crossbar.

The Millers continued to search for a way back into the game and Jordan Watson could not make the most of a break as his shot was deflected wide of the target.

But the away side were unable to find a way past Chafer and the resolute Bowers defence and Bowers were to double their lead late on.

Good play from Ben Sartain resulted in Knight heading home Johnny Ashman’s pinpoint cross to ensure the home side would win all three points.

Bowers & Pitsea: Chafer, Clark, Dicks, Salmon, Nyanja, Sartain, Thomas, Leahy, Knight, Cockman (Easterford 90'), Stokes (Ashman 88’)