SOUTHEND Manor returned to winning ways with a hugely impressive 4-0 win at Eton Manor in the Essex Senior League.

Manor had slipped up against lowly Haringey & Waltham during the week but they are now up to second in the standings after an emphatic win on Saturday.

Callum Ibe got the first and Aundre Spencer doubled the lead with an excellent free-kick early on in the second-half.

Ibe and Spencer were excellent throughout and both got a second of the afternoon to complete the rout, with manager Stuart Marshall impressed at the manner of his side’s response.

“It was very pleasing to see the lads respond so well to a midweek defeat,” he said. “We showed some of our quality and the performance was just what we needed. Now we hope to continue making small steps forward.”

Hullbridge Sports picked up a battling point against an improving Ilford side.

A host of injuries for Sports meant they were under pressure for large periods against Ilford, who had nine games in hand on their opponents.

Having fallen a goal behind, manager Rob Hodgson was made to wait until the last 10 minutes for the leveller – with Charlie Little on target.

And Hullbridge will have little time to prepare for their next match, with a trip to 17th-placed Tower Hamlets tonight.

Tower Hamlets were beaten 4-2 by Redbridge on their own turf on Saturday.

The result leaves Sports seventh.

Basildon United enjoyed a rare weekend off in the league but return to action with a tricky trip to Barkingside tonight.