Woodford Town moved to the top of the Essex Senior League table with victory at Coggeshall Town.

Shane Baptiste's men had to come from behind, after Jack Zielinski gave the Seedgrowers a first-half lead.

But Ernest Okoh headed an equaliser just past the hour mark, with Luke Parrott curling a low shot into the bottom corner of the net four minutes from time.

Baptiste posted: “Delighted with 2-1 away win. Credit to our players never gave up until final whistle. However It’s a marathon not a sprint, long season ahead 

“Massive thanks to our travelling fans. Fantastic support.”

Woods have 13 points from a possible 15 so far, leading Romford by one ahead of their midweek meeting with Barking.

Athletic Newham returned empty-handed from Halstead Town after a 1-0 defeat at the Millbank Stadium.

But they were left feeling hard done by after having a last-gasp effort disallowed and seeing Richard Kone sent off, as Jack Cherry produced a superb display in the home goal.

The visitors had early chances to take the lead, with the busy Cherry pulling off a great save to deny Kone midway through the first half.

And Halstead grabbed the only goal of the game on 27 minutes when Joel Older fired home as the Newham defence backed off.

Kone saw red in stoppage time, after frustrations mounted during the second half, with Newham then having a goal disallowed in the 11th extra minute.

 

 

East London rivals Sporting Bengal United also enjoyed a fruitless journey to Tilbury, suffering a 3-1 defeat.

They took the lead on 31 minutes when their right-back won possession on the edge of the box and fired into the bottom left corner of the net.

But Sporting were reduced to 10 men on the hour when their goalscorer was dismissed for a second bookable offence, tripping Dan Trendall as he looked to go through on goal, and the Dockers made the most of their extra player.

Substitute Olly Miles slotted home the equaliser for the home side on 69 minutes, with MacAuley Joynes putting them ahead with a superb free kick moments later.

And when a corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, Harry Donovan fired home a third to seal the points.

 

 

Honours finished even in the Thurlow Nunn League Division One South meeting between Newbury Forest and May & Baker at Oakside Stadium.

Speaking of the 1-1 draw, Bakers boss Jimmy Donald posted: "Good performance from the boys, a really good battle. They covered the non-negotiable and more, created chances and could have well taken the 3 points.

"The draw was a fair result on the night and already looking forward to another big game Friday.

"I'm confident we are building something special here and whilst it takes time, performances like tonight show we are heading in the right direction.

"Good point, good performance."

It was a similar story for Enfield Borough, who drew 2-2 with derby rivals Brimsdown to remain unbeaten after three matches.

Wednesday night sees Essex Senior League rivals Romford and Barking meet at the Lawtech Stadium, while Frenford visit White Ensign.

And Clapton host Hackney Wick in the Thurlow Nunn League, while Tower Hamlets welcome Park View to Mile End Stadium.