Saturday’s Round-Up: Vanarama National League South

The Darts had a great chance to take an early 6th minute lead on Canvey Island when they were awarded a penalty.

But Elliott Bradbrook saw Beachboys` keeper Louis Wells go down sharply to his right to keep the ball out.

And they were made to pay 10 minutes later when home skipper Steve Cawley tapped in a rebounded from close range after an initial effort had been parried by Dartford `keeper Daren Ibrahim.

But the visitors eventually pulled themselves back on level terms 11 minutes into the second half with a stunning drive from Ryan Hayes which hit the underside of the crossbar and went in.

Braintree Town are now second after they revenged an early-season defeat by East Thurrock United to win 4-0 at Cressing Road, while Hampton & Richmond Borough dropped to third after being held to a goalless draw at the Beveree by seventh-placed Hamel Hempstead Town.

Billy Crook gave Braintree the lead after 24 minutes.

Reece Grant then bagged a brace in the 38th and 67th minutes, sandwiched by a Luke Allen effort on 39 minutes and earn the Iron victory after three consecutive draws.

With Havant & Waterlooville`s game being postponed, Truro City had the chance to move closer to the top, but had to be content with a point from a 0-0 draw against eleventh-placed Bath City at Twerton Park.

Bath finished the game with ten-men after Dan Ball received a second booking in the final minute.

Chelmsford City also dropped points and are sixth after losing 2-1 at Clarence Park to eighth-placed St Albans City – ending the Clarets` seven-game unbeaten run.

Kieran Monlouis after 17 minutes and Layne Eadie right on the interval whistle gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Kudus Oyenuga’s 86th minute reply was not enough to inspire a Clarets comeback.

Weston-super-Mare maintained their top seven challenge after pushing Gloucester City further towards trouble with a 3-1 win at Evesham.

It could hardly have started better for the Seagulls when they took a first-minute lead from the penalty spot after Tristan Plummer was fouled – Gethyn Hill converted.

Jake Lee then doubled the visitors` lead after 35 minutes and Plummer made it virtually game over just 6 minutes into the second half with Weston`s third.

Sam Avery netted a consolation for the Tigers on the hour-mark.

That defeat leaves Gloucester fourth-bottom, five points above the drop zone.

Welling United are tenth, five points behind the play-off places after winning 3-0 at Park View Road against Eastbourne Borough.

Olu Durojaiye gave the Wings a 10th minute lead.

But it wasn`t until the 79th minute that the home side were able to double their advantage through Elliott Romaine, with Jack Jebb adding a third 4 minutes into stoppage time.

Third-bottom Poole Town`s game was off today, while the bottom two, Whitehawk and Bognor Regis Town, net at the Enclosed Ground and shared a 2-2 draw which was of more use to the Rocks than the Hawks, who are now eighteen points adrift of Gloucester.

Two Jimmy Muitt goals in the 65th and 72nd minutes earned Bognor a point.

The Rocks fell behind to a Gold Omotyo penalty on the stroke of half-time and Whitehawk hit back with an equaliser 11 minutes from time through Simon Mensah to share the points.

Oxford City pulled themselves seven points clear of the bottom three after a good 2-1 win at Bulpit Lane against Hungerford Town.

City took a 31st minute lead through Matt Paterson.

December`s player of the month, Rob Sinclair, appropriately added their second 2 minutes after the break.

Nick Bignall pulled one back for the Crusaders on the hour-mark, but they weren`t able to find a leveller.