Ben O'Brien netted in Barking's wins over Southend Manor and Basildon United (Terry Gilbert)

Barking 2 Basildon United 1

Barking boss Mick O’Shea believes his men are back on track after their second Essex Senior League win in four days thanks to Ben O’Brien’s first-half strike and Ben Turner’s second-half penalty on Tuesday.

The Blues bounced back from a three-game winless run when they beat Southend Manor 3-2 away on Saturday.

And they consolidated fifth place in the table when kicking off their run of four home games with victory against Basildon — much to the delight of manager O’Shea.

He said: “I set the boys a target of three wins out of three this week and we’re two thirds of the way there.

“Basildon are a big old beast of a side and have plenty of experience, so I told my boys it wasn’t going to be easy.

“But we got over the line and that’s what matters.”

O’Brien’s opener was wiped out when Blair Sturrock leveled for Basildon before the break only for Barking to grab the points when Turner scored from the spot around the hour mark after a visiting player handled the ball.

O’Shea said: “Thanks to a nice little shout from the dug-out. I like to help the officials if I can!

“We had quite a bit of possession after the second goal.

“But we then lost centre-half Jay Abberley to a bad ankle injury and I was a bit worried about them putting balls over the top.”

O’Brien also netted against Southend Manor, while Dumebi GB-Dumaka scored twice.

And the Blues hope for a hat-trick of wins when they meet Stansted on Saturday ahead of their London Senior Cup clash against Wimbledon on Wednesday.