BRAINTREE TOWN made it two wins out of two in Blue Square South with a 3-0 win over Lewes.

George Purcell scored twice for Iron to follow up his strike on the opening day of the season against Eastleigh.

And Sean Marks netted the other goal, in Braintree’s victory at Cressing Road.

Purcell and Marks teamed up well, with Marks constantly winning the ball in the air and providing his strike partner with a number of flick-ons.

One of them led to Braintree’s first goal.

Purcell held off Scott Chamberlain’s challenge and then rounded Rikki Banks to slot the ball in an empty net.

Marks made it 2-0 after 65 minutes when he ran clear of the defence and slipped the ball in the net at the second attempt.

The third goal had echoes of the first two as Purcell again gave the defence the slip, after Chris Breach failed to control a through ball.

He finished well to polish off Braintree’s win, giving them maximum points from their opening two games.

WIVENHOE TOWN slumped to their second successive defeat, in the Ridgeons League premier division.

They were beaten 2-0 at Broad Lane by Haverhill Rovers, who chalked up their first victory on their travels for nearly 18 months.

Salmons gave Haverhill the lead early on and substitute Hickman wrapped up the points for the visitors, late on.

Meanwhile, injury-hit STANWAY ROVERS lost 1-0 at Needham Market.

Rovers went behind after 11 minutes when Tommy Smith headed in for the home side.

Both sides had chances before half-time, with Sam Newson heading wide from eight yards for Stanway.

Stanway remained in the game in the second half but were unable to force an equaliser.

In Ridgeons League division one, Matt Waters scored twice as FC CLACTON enjoyed an impressive 3-2 win at Brantham Athletic.

The Seasiders fell behind when Sean Gunn headed in but Sean Hillier equalised.

Gunn restored Brantham’s lead early in the second half but Clacton refused to lie down.

Waters equalised from the penalty spot after the referee had spotted a foul in the area.

And a fine solo effort from Waters completed Clacton’s fine win.

Elsewhere in the division, ten-man HARWICH AND PARKESTON suffered their second successive league defeat when they lost 1-0 at Felixstowe and Walton.

The Shrimpers battled hard but suffered agony at the end when Adam Hampson netted Felixstowe’s winner in the dying moments.

Harwich had to play for around an hour with only ten men after Darren Bethell was sent off, after being shown two yellow cards.

In the Essex Senior League Cup group B, WITHAM TOWN were beaten 3-0 by Stansted.

Town played most of their fringe players in the game, with one eye on their FA Cup clash with Saffron Walden Town on Saturday.

Stansted took an early lead when Vinny Durrant beat James Moore to the ball and volleyed in.

And the Airportmen doubled their lead through Jamie Heywood, who slotted in from close range.

Little was seen of the home attack as Witham were forced to defend for most of the game.

Stansted showed more determination and proved to be the better team.

Durrant scored a third for Stansted soon after the break and the contest was effectively over, with Witham failing to register a meaningful effort on goal.

In group D, TIPTREE UNITED ran out 4-0 winners at Hullbridge Sports.

Jam-makers boss Colin Wallington used the tie as an opportunity to use some of his squad players.

HALSTEAD TOWN travel to play Saffron Walden Town tonight, in Ridgeons League division one.

Jody Brown’s side will be hoping to register their first league win, following their opening day draw against Brantham.