BOWERS & Pitsea claimed a thumping 9-0 win over Barking to move to within touching distance of the Isthmian North title.

David Knight scored four goals, while Lewis Manor completed a brace in the demolition of Barking at the Len Salmon Stadium.

Brad Warner and Quentin Monville were also on target, with Abs Seymour’s own goal completing the rout as Bowers recorded a 12th consecutive victory.

The hosts got off to the best possible start as they broke the deadlock inside four minutes.

Manor’s lofted pass over the top of the Barking backline found Warner and the winger’s excellent finish gave Barking goalkeeper Montel Joseph no chance.

Bowers doubled their advantage six minutes later as Manor rose highest to head home a Knight free-kick.

Although he had been beaten twice early on, Joseph was equal to long range strikes from Knight and Max Cornhill, while Manor headed over a Ryan Sammons cross.

Joseph then pulled off an unbelievable save to tip Warner’s free-kick onto the crossbar as Bowers continued to press for more goals.

Manor doubled his tally for the afternoon just before the half hour mark.

Barking failed to deal with a long throw and Manor headed the ball goalwards. Despite the visitors’ protestations that they had cleared the ball off the line, the goal was given after referee Rhys Battye consulted the linesman.

Knight added his name to the scoresheet after easily rounding Joseph with eight minutes to go before the break.

There was still time for Monville to get in on the act as he hammered home just before the interval after being found by a wonderful ball over the top from Sammons.

Bowers continued to create plenty of opportunities following the resumption and Joseph used his feet to divert a Warner strike away.

But the home side did not have to wait long to extend their lead as a goalkeeping howler from Joseph allowed Knight to poke the ball home for his 30th goal of the season.

Barking substitute Seymour diverted a free-kick into the back of his own net as Bowers scored their seventh goal with 20 minutes still to play.

Knight nipped in ahead of Joseph to head a free-kick into the back of the net to complete his hat-trick, while the striker scored his fourth goal from the penalty spot after Warner had been brought down.

Bowers & Pitsea: Wilton, Sammons (Hine 64), Stephen, Stokes, Clark, Dicks, Monville (Sartain 72), Cornhill, Manor (Thomas 53), Knight, Warner