BASILDON United endured an afternoon to forget as they were condemned to a 5-1 defeat by Barking at Mayesbrook Park.

The Bees made the trip having suffered back-to-back losses against Great Wakering Rovers and Canvey Island since Neil Blackburn was appointed as the club’s new boss.

And although Jeffrey Cobblah got his name on the scoresheet for the visitors, Barking scored four first half goals to put themselves in the driving seat and scored a fifth late on.

Basildon were to end the encounter with 10 men as Callum Taylor was dismissed late on.

Blackburn’s side endured a nightmare start as Basildon fell behind just five minutes into the Isthmian North clash.

Kemo Darboe rose highest to head an inviting cross beyond Bees goalkeeper Emmanuel Olajide and into the back of the net.

Basildon nearly hit back immediately, with former Hullbridge Sports man Dan Okah meeting Ash Blackburn’s corner and seeing his header tipped onto the crossbar by home goalkeeper Tim Brown.

The save proved crucial as Barking were able to double their advantage with just 16 minutes on the clock.

Jordan Peart’s drive was kept out by Olajide, but Ross Elsom was quick to react and slammed the rebound home.

Elsom completed his brace soon after, from close range, to give the Bees a mountain to climb.

Barking had a four-goal cushion five minutes before half-time as Darelle Russell added his name to the scoresheet.

Russell fired wide shortly after the break as Barking went in search of more goals.

But the Bees pulled a goal back eight minutes after the interval, with Cobblah latching onto the rebound after Taylor had been denied.

Basildon had calls for a penalty waved away after Taylor was bundled over and Barking were to grab a fifth goal six minutes before time as Chinedu Osadebe rolled the ball into an empty net after Olajide had frustrated Abs Seymour.

The Bees’ nightmare afternoon was completed when Taylor saw red late on.

Basildon United: Olajide, Mead, Brown, Aileru (Pibworth 46), Shadwell, Turpin, Cobblah (Scougall 75), Okah, Taylor, Blackburn, Stanley (Fatt 46)