THERE were more twists and turns in the Bostik League division north promotion race as MALDON AND TIPTREE edged closer to neighbours HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS.

Both are in the mix for a play-off berth but it was the Jammers who made up ground on their neighbours after a 2-2 draw with third-placed Bowers and Pitsea.

Lee Barnard’s third-minute penalty gave them a dream start and, after Bowers’ Jamie Dicks was sent off, George Brown popped up with a second on the stroke of half-time, at Park Drive.

However, Callum Leahy halved the deficit midway through the second period and Adam Vyse made it all-square on 81 minutes.

The draw took Maldon – now unbeaten in three matches - to within two points of neighbours Swifts, who lost 1-0 at leaders AFC Hornchurch.

Connor Hogan scored the only goal in the 33rd minute.

Heybridge, who had been unbeaten in their previous four games, remain sixth on 65 points, while Maldon are seventh with 63.

Swifts, however, still have the advantage of two games in hand.

Elsewhere in division north, Elliott Ronto grabbed a second-half winner as WITHAM TOWN won 1-0 at Soham Town Rangers.

It completed back-to-back wins for Adam Flint’s side, who have now won three of their last four.

Both Maldon and Heybridge are in action again on Tuesday night.

The Jammers host Barking while Swifts head to Soham, before another Thursday night fixture when they welcome Potters Bar Town to the Aspen Waite Arena.

In the Bostik League premier division, Colchester United youngster George Keys scored BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT’S equalising goal as the R’s drew 1-1 with Harrow Borough, at the Taydal Stadium.

Tom Rothery’s men were playing their second game in quick succession, having drawn by the same score against league leaders Billericay Town on Thursday night.

They suffered a shock when George Moore put the visitors ahead, firing home a free-kick from the edge of the box after just 13 minutes.

However, U’s young gun Keys popped up with a leveller nine minutes later to extend his side’s unbeaten run to three matches.

It was his first goal for the club and came after Jake Turner’s header from Aaron Condon’s cross had been saved by Borough keeper Melvin Minter.

Brightlingsea are back at the Taydal Stadium on Tuesday night, for the visit of Leatherhead.