It is a win that has been labelled a "smash-and-grab victory" that has earned the plaudits as performance of the day from the north Essex sides playing in the Thurlow Nunn League.

There was perhaps less than usual in terms of competition for that honour as a number of clubs saw their scheduled fixtures postponed due to waterlogged pitches after rain the day before.

Unlike the one that had been due to take place at FC Clacton - against Haverhill Rovers - one premier division game that wasn't lost to the weather was at Brantham Athletic where Newmarket Town were the visitors.

And it was the home side who were most grateful as they won 1-0 with a strike in the second half.

There was also some action still going ahead in division one south, although Holland FC's home game against Coggeshall United and Brightlingsea Regent Reserves' trip to Lopes Tavares were postponed.

Little Oakley were thankful that the Benfleet pitch passed muster as the Acorns had a 3-2 win on their travels, but Wivenhoe Town's woes continued as they were beaten 2-0 at home.

The Dragons entertained a rock-bottom Newbury Forest side that had not won in 17 games in all competitions.

It was a run that included a 3-2 defeat by Wivenhoe, which had been the Dragons' last success and their latest defeat extended their losing run to 14 games.

However, the games that did take place witnessed an important move in the race for the division one south title.

The Wormley Rovers pitch was deemed playable following Friday's downpour and Harwich & Parkeston took full advantage with a 1-0 victory that lifted them up into the top three in the table.

It was a win that came in testing circumstances for the Shrimpers, but Callum Griffith's solitary strike proved enough for a valuable three points and a result that earned them the performance of the day award.

Harwich assistant manager Mike Wallace said: “It was a fantastic result, given the circumstances.

“We had five players out for one reason or another and three others played on despite being ill.

“We were really thin on the ground but I can’t praise the boys enough because it was a real backs-to-the-wall effort.

“Keeper Sam Felgate and the four defenders were outstanding, worked so hard and really put their bodies on the line.

“It’s nice because our front men have rightly taken much of the limelight this season, because of the goals they’ve scored.

“But this was a day when our defenders deserve a massive pat on the back.

“It was a smash-and-grab victory but the boys really deserved it and we couldn’t have been more delighted.”

Meanwhile, in Essex Senior League, Stanway Rovers moved up into the top ten with a 3-0 win at Southend Manor.

It was goalless at half-time but Rovers won it with second-half strikes from Jay Nash, Scott Kemp and Fionn O'Reilly.