MALDON and Tiptree secured a valuable point against promotion-chasing Thurrock.

The Jammers battled to a 0-0 draw in their Ryman League division one north match at Park Drive.

Thurrock got in the first attacks of the game with Steven Carvell sending in a lobbed effort from the penalty area edge that hit the top of the home bar before going over.

Maldon and Tiptree then went close when Alberto Pinto was fouled on the corner of the penalty box.

Matt Gulfer hit the resultant free-kick against the visitors cross bar.

Mason Bloomfield made a clear chance when he was one-on-one against visiting keeper Rhys Madden.

But Madden showed all his experience to come out and expertly block Bloomfield’s shot.

Bloomfield then created a shooting chance for Nathan Koranteng but he hit his effort wide before Thurrock's Robert Clark got possession from a headed clearance but then saw his shot saved by home keeper Darren Behcet.

Thurrock grew stronger as the first half passed its mid-point but the home defence were holding up.

At the end of the half, Robert Clark got in a close range shot that Behcet held well.

Maldon got off to a strong start in the second half with Bloomfield holding off a couple of defenders but the ball escaped his control and Madden was able to collect.

The closest anyone got to scoring a goal came when the Jammers’ Mitch Hunter got on the end of a clearance on the penalty spot to smash the ball into the corner of the net beyond Madden but somehow defender Simon King got his body in the way to turn the ball off the goal line and out for a corner.

Both teams seemed to then cancel each other out with both defences playing a very strong game and generally denying any clear goal scoring chances although in one goal-mouth scramble Thurrock's Carvell got a final touch that needed a smart save from Behcet to turn the ball round the post.

Heybridge Swifts secured a good 3-1 win at Romford.

Swifts were in great form and rushed into the lead.

Joe Pearman opened the scoring for the visitors on 14 minutes before Sam West made it 2-0 on 35 minutes.

Adeyinka Cole then wrapped up the match in the second half scoring Swifts’ third on 51 minutes.

Loui Hazelwood pulled a goal back for the home side on 66 minutes but Swifts held on for the three points that sees them move up to 13th in the division.

Brightlingsea Regent fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat at Harlow Town.

The home side’s Junior Dadson opened the scoring on two minutes before a brace from Jamie Guy before half-time sealed the match.

Billy Jones added Harlow’s fourth on 79 minutes.

Burnham Ramblers also fell to 4-0 defeat in their basement battle with Cray Wanderers.

Moses Ashikodi got the ball rolling on eight minutes then an Adrian Stone hat-trick wrapped up the points.

In the Ryman premier division, Witham Town gave up a 2-0 lead against visiting Bognor Regis Town to be held to a draw.

Lewis Godbold put the home side in a strong position scoring on 12 and 24 minutes.

But an own goal by Lawrence Yiga on 73 minutes got the visitors back into the game.

Five minutes later Terry Dodd struck to gain a share of the spoils.