MALDON AND TIPTREE’S impeccable BetVictor Isthmian League form continued with one of their most impressive division north victories so far – a crucial 3-1 triumph against fellow high-fliers Grays Athletic.

The sides started the day sitting second and third respectively, so there was plenty at stake for Wayne Brown’s men.

The Jammers have been turning heads this season, both for their imperious league form and their spectacular run to the first-round proper of the FA Cup.

However, they may look back on this as one of their more important wins as they put three precious points on the board, making it a perfect eight wins from eight games and ramping up the pressure on leaders Bury Town.

Jorome Slew got the ball rolling with a goal in the third minute and they added their second just before the interval, thanks to Rob Girdlestone.

Mitchel Hahn pulled one back on the hour-mark but Slew’s second put the gloss on an impressive, important victory for Maldon, who have now won all five of their home matches at Park Drive.

Grays were reduced to ten men following the late sending-off of Jack McQueen.

COGGESHALL TOWN were also victorious, securing maximum points from a 1-0 success at Hullbridge Sports.

Joe Claridge’s penalty just before the hour-mark settled a hard-fought contest.

Hullbridge also had a player sent off, following Joseph Wright’s dismissal.

It was not such a good day for HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS, WITHAM TOWN and premier division outfit BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT.

Swifts had a particularly disappointing afternoon, losing 5-0 at Aveley.

Harry Gibbs, Jason Raad, Alexander Akrofi and George Sykes (two) scored the goals at Parkside.

Swifts, who had Elliott Ronto sent off in the closing stages, had been unbeaten in their previous five and this was their first away defeat of the season.

Witham’s defeat was by a 5-1 margin at Dereham Town – despite taking a 20th-minute lead through captain Pat Ahern.

Adam Hipperson levelled before a hat-trick from the hosts' Rhys Logan.

Hipperson put the cherry on the hosts’ cake in the last few seconds.

Dereham had been reduced to ten men after just a quarter of an hour, following a red card for Charlie Dickerson.

In the premier division, Regent, who had lost six of their previous seven league matches and not win since August, were unable to halt their poor run as they slid to a 2-0 defeat at home to Kingstonian.

The visitors started two points and three places higher but stretched that advantage thanks to a deflected goal shortly before half-time, followed by a second two minutes from the end.

So there are two contenders for our star performance award but given the significance of the win, against rivals in the thick of the promotion race, it has to go to Maldon.

Brown’s men look unstoppable and this was another example of them flexing their muscles and showing real quality.