TWO goals from Sara Sinclair saw Basildon return to winning ways and maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Sinclair put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute and completed her brace in the 59th minute in the FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One match.

Zoe Rushen fired wide in the third minute before Basildon goalkeeper Mel Kinsalla made two good saves to keep Denham at bay.

Basildon took the lead when Rushen played a diagonal ball behind the defence and Sinclair ran onto the ball before shooting past the goalkeeper.

The Denham goalkeeper then denied Carly Eagles and made a good save to keep out a left-footed Amy Nash shot, but neither side created any other clear chances before half-time.

The second half saw a defender clear the danger after Merrick Will set up Sinclair, who lobbed the keeper. Rushen then sent an overhead kick wide.

Denham replied with a shot which forced a one-handed save out of Kinsalla before Basildon doubled their advantage when Sinclair intercepted a back pass, rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net.

The goal spurred Basildon on and they took control of the game, with Sinclair, Rushen and Nash all threatening the Denham goal.

The visitors pushed forward in search of a goal, which duly came when Kim Pendred fired home from close range following a free-kick a minute into stoppage time.

But Basildon saw out the match to ensure the win.

Basildon: Kinsalla, Will, Porter, Lawler, Hinz (Shafier), Rushen, Stephanou, Eagles, Wyatt (Hopwood), Sinclair, Nash, Unused subs: Prior and Carty.