Purfleet remain in sixth position in the Ryman League Premier Division after last night's 3-1 home success over Essex rivals Heybridge Swifts.

Tonight, main rivals Gravesend and Northfleet aim to cut the lead of top dogs Canvey to five points when they host Maidenhead United. If they triumph, the Kent side would still have three games in hand.

Meanwhile, Dagenham and Redbridge became odds-on favourites to win the Nationwide Conference and promotion to the Football League last night when a crowd of 3,805 at Victoria Road saw them beat closest rivals Boston United 1-0.

Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002