BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent had to work hard for their win at Leslie Field.

They secured a 3-2 victory against Burnham Ramblers in their Ryman League division one north encounter.

Brightlingsea took the lead on two minutes when a long floated free-kick from TJ Amass found the head of Phil Kelly.

And Kelly doubled their advantage just before half-time when he powered home from a Jake Turner corner on 43 minutes.

But Burnham pulled one back after substitute Andrea Mantovani, who had just come on for Bradley Nobbs, found the back of the net on 45 minutes.

On 54 minutes, it became all square at Leslie Field when Brad Hunter equalised for Burnham.

But on 66 minutes Kelly completed his hat-trick to put Brightlingsea back in front with a 40-yard lob that beat the Burnham keeper.

Maldon and Tiptree lost out 2-1 against visiting Brentwood Town at Park Drive.

The home side went behind on 21 minutes from a Sherwin Stanley penalty.

Brentwood made it 2-0 early in the second half through Alex Akrofi on 53 minutes.

But Maldon pulled a goal back on 54 minutes when Jonathan Nzengo’s cross was smashed home by Alex Andrews.

Maldon thought they had equalised when Gavin Greenfield put the ball in the back of the net but the referee’s whistle went for a free-kick to Brentwood.

The visitors then managed to hold on to secure the three points.

Heybridge Swifts fell to a solitary strike at high-flying AFC Sudbury.

Sudbury secured the win in the second half when Craig Parker scored on 69 minutes.

In the Ryman premier division, ten-man Witham Town battled to a good 2-1 win against AFC Hornchurch.

Danny Emmanuel gave Witham the lead on 16 minutes.

The home side went a man down on 72 minutes when Paul King was sent off.

The visitors then equalised from the penalty spot through George Purcell a minute later.

But Witham grabbed the win when Tom Wraight scored on 84 minutes.