BASILDON United extended their advantage at the top of the Isthmian North with a superb 5-3 win at Witham Town.

The Bees were bidding to continue their perfect start but, following a low key start, were behind midway through the half.

George Powell picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and drilled low and hard into the bottom corner for Witham.

But Basildon responded almost immediately. Only four minutes later, Reece Placid made space for himself and placed the ball into the bottom corner.

Not deterred, Witham forced a fine save from Bees goalkeeper Connor Wheatley before they did restore their advantage.

A handball by Darren Phillips was penalised and Sam Ashford scored the resultant kick from 12 yards.

Back came Basildon and they levelled matters with a penalty of their own.

Five minutes before the interval, Eljay Worrell slammed home the kick.

Having trailed twice, Basildon turned the game on its head in the first 10 minutes of the second period.

Joe Turpin was in the right place at the right time to net after Phillips had struck the post from a corner.

The game was hugely entertaining and a sixth goal – and third penalty – arrived after an hour. Ashford was clinical once again from the penalty spot but Basildon were handed a boost two minutes later.

Danny Norton was sent off for a high foot and the Bees seized the initiative. Brian Moses was well placed at the far post to strike home the game’s seventh goal.

Moses scored Basildon’s fifth to put the game to bed.

Canvey Island 2-2 Brentwood Town

Canvey Island left it very late to ensure a share of the spoils against Brentwood Town after it looked as though they were to be haunted by two former players.

The Gulls started brightly and could have been ahead inside five minutes only for Frankie Merrifield’s effort to come back off the crossbar.

Up the other end, Harry Palmer was called into action between the posts – smothering a strike by Ayrton Coley.

Canvey continued to press forward and they thought they had taken the lead on the half hour when Jordan Cox headed home only to see the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside.

Kojo Apenteng forced an excellent save from Palmer as both he and opposite number Robb Budd continued to impress.

But Budd was helpless to prevent the first goal going in before the break. Marlow Agyakwa sent in a fine cross and Cox headed into the goal.

Having scored shortly before the break, the Gulls conceded minutes after the restart.

Former home favourite Tony Stokes did well to juggle the ball before striking low and hard beyond Palmer and into the corner.

Brentwood continued to press and Luke Foster hit the crossbar as the pressure on the home goal continued.

Sam Collins hit the underside of the bar with a spectacular long range effort before the late drama.

A penalty from Albert Levett, following a foul by Palmer, saw Brentwood take the lead before the Gulls were handed a chance from a spot kick of their own.

Cox stepped up and levelled with the final kick.