BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT suffered late heartache as visitors Thurrock netted twice in the last eight minutes to secure a 3-1 victory at the Taydal Stadium.

The sides met in a Bostik League premier division contest and Billy Hunt’s second-half penalty looked to have ensured a share of the spoils for Tom Rothery’s men.

However, Thurrock, who led at the break through Ronnie Winn, nosed back in front thanks to Remi Sutton and then added a third via Reece Cave.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Regent, who went into the game on the back of an encouraging three-game unbeaten run, culminating in a 2-1 victory at Burgess Hill Town last Saturday.

However, they knew they were in for a challenging afternoon against an in-form Thurrock side that started the day four places and seven points above them and having won their last three matches, plundering 13 goals.

Nevertheless, Regent were unfortunate to be behind at the interval.

Winn’s low strike on the half-hour mark separated the sides but it was the hosts who had created the better openings.

Aaron Condon was their main danger man, first getting in a shot from the left of the area that tested keeper Ben McNamara.

Condon then cut in from the right and unleashed a venomous effort that clattered back off the bar.

The same player tried his luck with a low effort that was turned round the near post by McNamara.

And Matt Cripps, back in the side after serving a three-match suspension, went close just before the break but headed over after a corner had been flicked on.

Regent’s leveller came just after the hour-mark and followed a handball, after a ball in from the left.

Top-scorer Billy Hunt stepped forward and confidently dispatched the ball into the net.

Regent pushed for a winner and after Jake Clowsley caused havoc on the edge of the area, Hunt saw a rising effort blocked by a Thurrock defender.

However, Sutton broke through the home defence with eight minutes left and coolly slotted a low effort past keeper James Bradbrook.

Cave then put the gloss on the victory three minutes from time, steering the ball home after a free-kick from the left was missed by Bradbrook.

Elsewhere, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS staged an incredible fightback to draw 3-3 in their division north thriller at Haringey Borough.

Jody Brown’s side, who lost 2-1 at Bury Town on Thursday, despite Luke Callander having put them ahead, found themselves 3-0 down after goals from Ralston Gabriel, Anthony McDonald and Andre McCollin.

However, Tambeson Eyong and substitute Matthew Price put them back in contention and despite the latter being sent off, Kreshnic Krasniqi fired home a 75th-minute penalty to complete an amazing contest at Coles Park.

MALDON AND TIPTREE’S play-off hopes suffered another dent after they slid to their fourth straight defeat, going down 2-0 at home to in-form Bury.

Jack Lankester put the visitors ahead in the sixth minute, before Cemal Ramadan’s late second for the Suffolk side.

It was also a disappointing day for WITHAM TOWN, who lost 4-1 at Canvey Island.

Mitchell Gilbey and Ryan Charles put the Gulls in charge at the break, before further goals from Martin Tuohy and Ryan Melaugh.

Chinedu Osadebe provided the Witham consolation.