BOWERS & PITSEA claimed the bragging rights in the new town derby with BASILDON UNITED on Tuesday with a 4-2 win at Gardiners Close.

It meant John Doyle’s side, spearheaded by the pacy front pairing of Calvin Poku and Michael Salako, took revenge for a 5-2 defeat in the reverse fixture.

Bowers had already had a penalty appeal turned down when they took a 13th minute lead when an unmarked Poku was given time to shoot home.

And they were 3-0 up after 33 minutes following a quick-fire brace from Salako. The Bees gave themselves a way back into the game six minutes before the interval when Aaron Hunwicks converted a penalty, and they were right back in it when Dave Ade nipped in to beat Michael Doyle 10 minutes after the restart. But Bowers sealed the win 10 minutes from time when Poku completed his brace to seal a memorable win.

Elsewhere in the division, a late wonder strike from Billy Hunt denied Southend Manor a priceless victory in a top-of-the-table clash in front of a crowd of 137 at Spa Road.

Manor were by far the better team in the first half and strikers Wilf Msiska and Gary Paterson wasted good chances early on.

But they took a 10th minute lead when Msiska’s scuffed shot from close range span in the air and went straight through an embarrassed Danny Sambridge’s gloves. And they doubled their advantage when the ball fell to Paterson, and he fired home from close range.

It was almost game over on the half-hour mark when a Witham player almost headed against his own post.

But Witham pulled a goal back just before the break when Scott Pethers dragged keeper Adam Seal out of position and crossed for Hunt to poke home from close range.

And they rescued a point with five minutes to go when Hunt cut inside and struck a wonderful shot from 25-yards into the top corner.

Russell Faulkner’s Manor remain behind Witham at the top on goal difference, although Witham have two games in hand. HULLBRIDGE SPORTS were knocked out of the Tolleshunt Darcy Cup following a 2-1 semi-final defeat at Burnham Ramblers. James Braithwaite put Sports in front but Ramblers hit late goals through Charlie Kirby and Bradley Nobbs.