BOWERS & Pitsea extended their lead at the Isthmian North summit by claiming a 4-1 win over Great Wakering Rovers.

David Knight, Ben Sartain and Brad Warner got their names on the scoresheet for the title-chasing hosts, while Brian Moses scored at both ends at the Len Salmon Stadium.

And with Maldon & Tiptree suffering a home defeat to Witham Town, Rob Small’s Bowers are now seven points clear at the top of the standings.

Wakering should have taken the lead with seven minutes on the clock.

Despite Bowers enjoying the majority of possession early on, Wakering striker Moses got the better of Martyn Stokes and found Joshua Wiggins with a square ball. But, with the goal at his mercy, Wiggins’ tame strike was straight at Bowers goalkeeper Andy Wilton.

Moments later, Wakering custodian Coey Turipa kept out a Warner header, while the attacker’s rebound was blocked.

Shomari Barnwell stung the palms of Wilton as Wakering continued their encouraging start to the encounter, but the visitors were made to pay for their missed opportunities as Bowers took a 19th minute lead.

Sartain found James Thomas and his first time cross was clipped into the back of the net by Knight.

And the hosts doubled their advantage with 27 minutes on the clock as a Warner corner was diverted into the back of the net. Bowers skipper Stokes claimed the goal, but the final touch appeared to come off Moses.

And Bowers grabbed their third goal of the afternoon three minutes before the interval as Sartain’s long range strike found a way past Turipa.

Bowers went in search of more goals after the break and Turipa made a diving save to keep out a Knight header close to the hour mark.

Wakering responded with Barnwell testing Wilton, while right-back Thomas Skelton cleared a goalbound Stokes header off the line.

With 70 minutes on the clock, Warner nodded a Knight cross beyond Turipa to add his name to the scoresheet.

Wakering got a goal back nine minutes later as Moses volleyed home on the turn, but Bowers were able to celebrate a comfortable victory at the Len Salmon Stadium.

Bowers & Pitsea: Wilton, Sammons, Stephen, Stokes, Halle (Clark 26), Leahy (Dicks 46), Monville (Cornhill 70), Sartain, Warner, Knight, Thomas

Great Wakering Rovers: Turipa, Skelton, Woodhouse, Pethers, Glover, Cox, Wiggins (Gordon 46), Harris, Barnwell, Moses, Johnson (Marah 57 (Makhendi 80))