BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent moved six points clear at the top of the Ryman League division north table after a 3-1 victory at home to Soham Town Rangers tonight.

Tom Richardson was their two-goal hero, hitting a brace after Billy Hunt’s opener.

The precious victory was all the more impressive as Regent were reduced to ten men after just ten minutes, following the sending-off of skipper Matt Cripps.

However, they recovered from the disruption and eventually ran out worthy winners to put more distance between themselves and second-placed Maldon and Tiptree.

It also continued their excellent run of form, with Brightlingsea’s last defeat coming way back on Boxing Day.

They have won their last seven and are unbeaten in 14 matches.

Regent had to recover from a huge early blow following the early sending-off of inspirational defender and captain Cripps.

The centre-half lost control of the ball and in trying to keep possession, he was deemed guilty of an over-zealous tackle.

With only ten minutes on the clock, it could have proved a defining moment in the game.

Instead, Regent responded well and soon went ahead.

Phil Kelly, having earlier struck the left-hand post, started the move with a strong run down the right.

He fed Richardson, who sprayed the ball out to Hunt and the former Stanway Rovers man – who scored a hat-trick on his debut last week – cut in and fired an unstoppable low effort beyond keeper Niall Conroy.

Regent’s second followed just after the half-hour mark.

Robbie Rees whipped in an enticing cross from the left and Richardson, who had shot narrowly wide just before, ghosted in to nod home from close range.

Richardson soon had another opportunity but his lobbed effort flashed just over and then Soham pulled one back just before the break with a close-range effort from Cemal Ramadan.

A huge second half therefore loomed for Regent, protecting a narrow lead but with a numerical disadvantage, and they nearly gave themselves a cushion again through substitute Connor Hogan.

The midfielder, who replaced Hunt, got forward and tried his luck with a powerful effort that forced an excellent save from Conroy.

It was certainly tense but Richardson settled the nerves with a pivotal third after 74 minutes.

The striker got on the end of Jake Turner’s corner to cap another excellent victory for James Webster’s men, ahead of another big match on Saturday against fellow promotion-chasers Thurrock at North Road.

Regent: Cowler, Griggs, Malton, Witherspoon, Boyland, Cripps, Rees (Doyle 83), Turner, Richardson, Kelly (Jake Gould 72), Hunt (Hogan 53).

Unused subs: Josh Gould, Harvey.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS were also due to be in action on Tuesday night but their match at Thurrock was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, following an 11am inspection.