ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

LEADERS Hullbridge Sports saw their advantage at the top of the Premier Division stretch to two points despite being held at home to a 1-1 draw by Walthamstow.

The visitors, who themselves move up a couple of places with many of the league’s other sides in FA Vase action, took the lead through James Peagran five minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half.

Jimmy Cox hit Sports’ equaliser 13 minutes after the resumption, to double his team’s advantage over secondplace Takeley – who have a perfect four wins from four league games, with two games in hand on Hullbridge.

Ilford are now third after they won 41 at Redbridge, who suffered their first defeat of the season despite only having one victory in their five games.

Yetui Adeni scored a brace with Jamail Dzocsi and Yesser Nazha getting the others for the Foxes, with Sam Befgour pulling one back for the hosts.

Tower Hamlets remain in trouble at the foot of the table following their 2-1 home defeat against Stansted.

Callum Ibe and Paul Clayton scored Stansted’s goals within the first 20 minutes, while Hamlets – who remain second bottom ahead of Stanway Rovers with one point from four games – responded with a late own goal.

Saffron Walden Town, who were in FA Vase action, have dropped from third to fifth with Walthamstow and Ilford both climbing above them.

Hoddesdon Town are now seventh with seven points from five games, the same record as Clapton who have a worse goal difference.

DAVID BALLHEIMER