Saturday saw a hard fought game that could have gone either way but Brentwood were thankful to score twice in the last five minutes to secure the three points that will give them the opportunity to finish ninth in the league table.

The approach play of both sides was of good quality, but all too often the final pass into the areas lacked accuracy and came to nothing.

Dave Pether was the busiest goalkeeper early on, but the Blues looked threatening on the break and should have scored from such a situation.

When Kris Agyei-dua broke onto the last two defenders, he went past the first defender then drew the second one towards him and slipped the ball to Michael Gore who was three yards from goal, but Gore somehow lifted the ball high and wide of the target.

Basildon approached the second half in a more industrious manner and for long periods forced Brentwood on the defensive.

The visitors coped well getting plenty of bodies behind the ball. They did, however, need a bit of luck to survive a long range shot that struck the top of the crossbar and went over.

Basildon's pressure eventually brought success when substitute Paul Batt managed to guide the ball through several players into the net in the 75th minute.

Brentwood battled their way back and reaped the reward when substitute Dave Stittle picked up a Lee Felstead clearance.

He touched the ball past the last defender then raced goalkeeper Butler to the ball and slipped it under him and into the net.

The visitors maintained the pressure and with time running out they won a corner.

Dave Stittle pushed a short ball to Mark Simpkins whose long cross to the back post found Michael Gore's head and was quickly dispatched into the back of the net.

Brentwood: D. Pether, D. Cockerill, M. Simpkins, L. Felstead, J. Read, C. Mead, J. Taylor, G. Delea, D. Allsop, M. Gore, K. Agyei-dua (D. Stittle 60) and J. Foolchand.

On Monday (April 5), Brentwood entertain Eton Manor in an Essex Senior League match (kick-off 11 am).

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