Although closest rivals Saffron Walden collected an 8-1 win at East Ham, Great Wakering Rovers kept their noses in front in the Schweppes Essex Senior League title race and Pitsea outfit Bowers also maintained their challenge.

Village side Wakering, who have carried out massive improvements to their Burroughs Park home hopefully in readiness for elevation to the Ryman League at the end of the season, beat local visitors Hullbridge 3-1.

However, it was only a superb display by goalkeeper Pat Overall that saved Sports from a far heavier defeat.

Veteran groundhopper Bill Shepherd, from Wimbledon, who has visited well over 1000 non-league grounds, was among a near 150 crowd who saw Mark Hampshire earn Wakering a 13th-minute lead.

John Leek equalised after 32 minutes, but ex Canvey man Paul Cates gave the homesters a 66th-minute lead and Neville Hickton's 79th-minute penalty rounded things off.

Wakering still lead Saffron Walden on goal difference with a game in hand. Walden should keep up their unbeaten record tomorrow when they visit a Basildon United side who almost certainly ended their fading title hopes with a 1-0 defeat at Ilford on Saturday.

The championship challenge from the new town now looks in the hands of Bowers, who beat bottom club Eton Manor 3-1 at home after going behind to a 16th minute Jamie Everton effort.

David Hope kept up his superb scoring run with a brace for Bowers after 36 and 37 minutes and Dave Allen (69) wrapped up the points.

Busy Bowers, still chasing all the Senior honours, host Ilford in the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy semi-final first leg tonight before visiting Burnham Ramblers, still nursing title hopes themselves, in the League on Wednesday.

Burnham won 4-0 at home to Stansted on Saturday, back to form Steve Harding grabbing a hat-trick after ex Hullbridge and Basildon man Khan Stevens opened the scoring.

Concord Rangers fell behind at Brentwood to Michael Gore's 24th-minute opener. However, Canvey based Concord won with Ian Gooden scoring after 41 and 85 minutes. Matt Ellis (39) and Darren Godfrey (49) wrapped up the scoring. Hullbridge host Concord tomorrow.

Southend Manor kept their unbeaten run, but were hoping for better than 1-1 at home to lowly Sawbridgeworth.

On the deck - this Rovers player (left) beats his Hullbridge opponent

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.