HULLBRIDGE Sports boosted their Essex Senior League title hopes with a 1-0 win over Hoddesdon Town.

Ollie Sotoyinbo nodded home what proved to be the only goal of the encounter at the Ryan’s Heating Stadium.

And Hullbridge assistant manager James Wakeling, who called the shots from the sidelines as boss Darren Manning began his three-match stadium ban, was pleased to see Sports claim a narrow victory.

Wakeling said: “It was a very tough game and we had to grind the win out.

“It’s three points and, at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing.

“I was focused because Darren wasn’t here, so I had to make sure everything was ready and we have good backroom staff here.”

However, Southend Manor were unable to do their local rivals a favour in their bid for the title.

Manor made the trip to Stansted, who currently lead the way in the Essex Senior League.

But Adam Peek’s side succumbed to a 4-1 defeat against the table-toppers.