A DEBUT brace from Andy Pugh and Lewis Smith goal allowed East Thurrock United to record an impressive 3-1 victory over Bowers & Pitsea.

The two sides went head-to-head in an exciting local derby at Rookery Hill.

But Rocks claimed all three points as they bounced back from successive Isthmian Premier League defeats and David Knight’s late goal proved to be no more than a consolation.

Despite an encouraging start by the hosts, Bowers came close to taking a sixth minute lead.

Brad Warner’s quickly taken free-kick found Quentin Monville in space. The winger flashed the ball across the face of goal and a touch would have surely seen the ball home, but the cross evaded everyone.

However, East Thurrock were to take a 27th minute lead.

A Ben Marlow header got Mitch Gilbey in behind the Bowers defence and his square pass found Pugh on the edge of the penalty area.

The new signing curled his effort around goalkeeper Callum Chafer and into the back of the net.

Frankie Merrifield would have doubled Rocks’ advantage from close range soon after were it not for a superb block by Bowers captain Martyn Stokes.

Five minutes before the interval, Smith met a dangerous Gilbey cross but his header was deflected into the side-netting.

Bowers responded with Callum Leahy firing over the top following some fine hold-up play by Knight.

The first attempt after the break came from Gilbey, who stung the palms of Chafer with a 30-yard free-kick.

A Gilbey free-kick caused disarray in the Bowers penalty area, with East Thurrock defenders Ryan Scott and Steve Sheehan getting their head on the ball before Merrifield hooked the ball over the crossbar.

Bowers came close to levelling matters directly from a corner.

Warner’s inswinging delivery caught East Thurrock goalkeeper Jack Giddens out but Ayo Olukoga was on hand to head the ball off the goal-line.

Shortly after coming off the bench, Lewis Manor – who scored two goals in Bowers’ 4-2 FA Cup preliminary round win over Barkingside 48 hours earlier – headed a Warner corner over the top.

And Rocks were to double their lead with 69 minutes played.

Danny Harris’ pass forward was deftly flicked home by Pugh, whose touch deceived Chafer.

Bowers went in search of a reply and Manor headed a Knight free-kick off target.

And Giddens then made an impressive diving save to keep out another Manor header, while former Rocks midfielder Max Cornhill nodded the resulting corner narrowly wide from close range.

Pugh, going in search of a debut hat-trick, fired wide on the turn.

Rocks were awarded an 86th minute penalty after Smith was tripped.

Although Chafer pulled off a fine save to keep Pugh’s spot-kick out, Smith was quickest to the rebound and added his name to the scoresheet with a diving header.

Knight grabbed a consolation goal for Bowers in stoppage time, but East Thurrock were able to recover from back-to-back defeats to Potters Bar Town and Merstham.

Bowers, meanwhile, were consigned to their first ever Isthmian Premier League loss.