Leon Bell hit two goals as Harlow closed the gap at the top of Division One North with a 3-2 win at home to Boreham Wood.

Marvin Samuel scored the other as the Essex side climbed to within five points of 2nd-placed Yeading, with games in hand on all of their promotion rivals.

The game at Hammerskjold Road was an entertaining one, highlighted by an attack-minded Boreham Wood side, who scored themselves through Sammy Winston and Joe Baker.

East Thurrock United were again victims of the weather, giving the other Essex representatives in the bottom half the chance to close the gap on ETU.

Tilbury recorded what was certainly the result of the day with a 4-1 hammering of crisis club Enfield. Callum Ware scored twice, with Greg Cohen and Niall Ritchie also on the scoresheet.

Less joy for Wivenhoe Town though. The Broad Lane club were well beaten by Berkhamsted Town - former QPR striker Ralph Frempong hitting the last goal in a 4-0 away success for Berko.

Dewayne Clarke's hattrick for Waltham Forest saw off Great Wakering Rovers, while Aveley looked good value for an impressive away win at Hemel Hempstead Town, leading late on through Jon Whittaker's goal.

But the hosts came strong in the last quarter, with Bryan Hammett crossing for Bryan Jones to bag an equaliser with fourteen minutes remaining and claim a share of the points.

Published Monday January 19, 2004