CONCORD Rangers claimed a valuable three points despite playing more than half of their National League South encounter against Hemel Hempstead with 10 men.

However, Billericay Town and East Thurrock United were defeated.

Meanwhile, Basildon United, Canvey Island and Great Wakering Rovers suffered narrow home defeats in the Isthmian North.

Billericay Town 2-3 Oxford City

Billericay Town fell to a narrow defeat against Oxford City at the AGP Arena.

The hosts should have gone into a second minute lead, but Billy Clifford fired wide of a gaping goal after Sam Deering’s shot had been blocked.

Oxford hit back by striking the post after a goalmouth scramble, but Billericay were to go ahead after 16 minutes as Robinson flicked a Joe Kizzi volley home.

Deering could not double the home side’s advantage from six yards and that miss proved costly as Kuran Wiltshire levelled matters a minute before the break.

The game was turned on its head as Oxford went ahead moments after the interval.

And Oxford extended their lead at the AGP Arena as Jack Self’s shot was well saved by Alan Julian and Kabongo Tshimanga’s follow-up rattled the crossbar before Sam Nombe blasted home.

Lafayette reduced the arrears with little more than 15 minutes remaining, but Billericay could not find a leveller.

Concord Rangers 2-1 Hemel Hempstead Town

Concord Rangers bounced back from their FA Trophy exit by collecting three points against Hemel Hempstead Town.

Tyrone Sterling fired wide as the Beach Boys looked to gain the upper-hand.

And Concord went ahead seven minutes before the break as Alex Wall slotted home after being found by Liam Nash.

But the Beach Boys were reduced to 10 men as Connor Essam was shown a straight red card on 43 minutes.

And the visitors profited as they drew level just 60 seconds later.

But the 10 men regained their lead on 73 minutes as Nash scored a cracking goal.

And Sammy Moore’s side held on to return to winning ways.

Hampton & Richmond Borough 1-0 East Thurrock United

A late goal consigned East Thurrock United to defeat at Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Roman Michael-Percil fired over early on, while Rocks also felt they had two clear penalties turned down.

Neither side could find the back of the net in the first half and East Thurrock suffered a blow as they were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark as Danny Harris was given his marching orders.

Hampton’s Chris Dickson had a goal disallowed soon after and it looked as though the visitors were going to return to south Essex with a share of the spoils.

But the hosts made the breakthrough in the first minute of injury time.

Rhys Murrell-Williamson’s curling effort evaded Rocks goalkeeper Jack Giddens and sealed all three points.

Basildon United 0-1 Coggeshall Town

Basildon United were condemned to a third consecutive home defeat as Coggeshall Town continued their promotion bid.

Sam Bantick went close for the visitors, while Basildon full-back Conor Mead cleared Ross Wall’s deflected strike off the line.

But Coggeshall broke the deadlock soon after the half hour mark as Correy Davidson linked up with Bantick before the ex-Bowers & Pitsea man looped the ball over the onrushing Bees goalkeeper, Emmanuel Olajide.

The Bees looked for a leveller in the second half and kept knocking on the door.

Coggeshall goalkeeper James Bransgrove made a fine save to deny Mead and Basildon could not claim a share of the spoils.

Canvey Island 0-1 Soham Town Rangers

Canvey Island, like Great Wakering Rovers seven days earlier, suffered defeat at the hands of Soham Town Rangers.

The visitors took a 10th minute lead as Ryan Auger latched onto a loose ball before finding the bottom corner of the net.

Canvey had to wait until the 20th minute for their first sight of goal when Frankie Merrifield collected a flick-on header from Adam Vyse following a ball into the box. Merrifield shot from a tight angle, but Lloyd Groves did well to deflect the effort over the crossbar.

Sam Collins was denied, while Martin Tuohy snatched at a presentable opportunity as the Gulls went in search of an equaliser.

Canvey were awarded a penalty on 32 minutes when James White’s powerful shot struck the outstretched arm of a defender.

But Tuohy’s spot-kick was saved by Josh Pope to frustrate the hosts.

Lanre Balogan, making his debut following his work experience loan from Dagenham & Redbridge, forced Pope into a second half save.

Jon Kaye then had an effort cleared off the line as Soham aimed to put the game out of sight.

Canvey failed to create another opportunity in the remaining half hour and the home fans left the Frost Hire Stadium disappointed.

Great Wakering Rovers 2-3 Tilbury

Great Wakering Rovers could not halt Marc Harrison’s Tilbury as their upturn in form continued.

The visitors took a 33rd minute lead as former East Thurrock United man Lewis Smith found the back of the net.

But Wakering hit back 10 minutes after the break as Jake Gordon levelled matters.

Wakering moved ahead six minutes later as Gordon completed his brace.

But the home side’s lead lasted just four minutes as ex-Canvey Island creative midfielder Mitch Gilbey equalised.

And the Dockers snatched all three points as George Sykes netted the winner six minutes from time.