FORMER striker Brad Warner came back to haunt Bowers & Pitsea as he hit a late winner to see off Rob Small’s side.

The striker, who departed the Len Salmon Stadium in the summer, scored with just 10 minutes remaining to deny Bowers a share of the spoils.

Both sides went into the clash full of confidence and in the Isthmian North’s top three.

An impressive run by central defender Lewis Clark provided Bowers with their first opportunity.

Clark, who netted a brace in the clashes with Romford and Tilbury last month, drove forward before finding David Knight. But the striker could not get a clean contact on the shot and dragged his effort wide of the target.

Just past the half hour mark, Knight controlled a Jamie Salmon clearance and found Tony Stokes. But the attacking midfielder sent his attempt against the post.

Both sides were struggling to force either goalkeeper into a meaningful save, with the ball spending the majority of the time in the middle of the park.

Bowers had an excellent chance to take the lead early in the second half.

Some impressive build-up play led to Stokes laying the ball off to Knight.

The frontman’s effort was saved by Urchins goalkeeper Sam Mott, and Gavin Cockman sent the rebound over the crossbar when well placed.

Moments later, Callum Chafer turned away a free-kick from Warner.

Bowers went in search of a breakthrough and Cockman’s dangerous cross was not dealt with by Jamie Hursit. But Knight’s poor control forced him out wide and his low pass to Salmon was cut out.

Cockman then had a low strike blocked after substitute Lewis Manor had caused the Urchins defence problems.

Warner came close to giving Hornchurch the lead and coming back to haunt Bowers.

The frontman turned inside Fahad Nyanja, but his close range strike was well saved by Chafer.

Manor rose highest to head a Clark throw-in goalwards, but the effort deflected off an Urchins defender and went behind for a corner, before Callum Leahy headed over the resulting set piece.

And Hornchurch were to take the lead just minutes later as Warner headed into the corner of the net following a dangerous cross into the penalty area.

Theo Fairweather-Johnson came within a whisker of doubling the home side’s advantage after dispossessing Jamie Dicks, but one goal proved to be enough to see off Bowers.

Bowers & Pitsea: Chafer, Clark, Nyanja, M. Stokes, Dicks, Sartain, Ashman (Leahy 46’), Salmon, Knight, Cockman, T. Stokes (Manor 61’)