Great Wakering Rovers stayed third in Ryman Division Two with the top three all winning on Saturday.

Rovers sat two points off top spot going into the latest round of fixtures as the pursuit of the Division Two crown reaches its crucial stages.

Opponents Hungerford Town held a mid-table berth, and in an even opening chances were few and far between with the midfields dominating possession.

The turning point came on 37 minutes however when Paul Flack cut into the penalty area to unleash a shot which came off Tim North's hand from point blank range. In spite of heavy protests from the home side, Gary Howard drove the penalty home.

Hungerford came out with a more attacking formation in the second period and went closest to sharing the points when Darren Howell's header came back off the crossbar.

But Wakering held on, claiming the points that takes them above Essex rivals East Thurrock United, who again endured a severe test of their title crudentials at Leyton Pennant.

After Reeves had driven wide for the visitors early on, the Lilywhites took control on 36 minutes when Ryan Harris raced into the box to beat Caton.

Carl Brown's header doubled that advantage shortly afterwards, and Jermain Hughes hit the third shortly after, advancing into the penalty area to slide past Caton with ease.

United got one back late on as Guy Barker notched, though a bad day at the office for the Lakeside club and a result that severely dents their title ambitions.

Tilbury dropped to 10th after losing at home to Arlesley. In poor playing conditions, the visitors snatched all three points with Dean Harding's goal just after the break.

Elsewhere, Wivenhoe drew a blank at Ashford (Middlesex) to remain five off the foot of the table. The home side created the better of the chances with Danny Kirk and Andy Frost both responsible for missing guilt-edged chances to break the deadlock in a predominantly dour affair.

Published Sunday, March 10, 2002