ALRESFORD Colne Rangers gave their Essex and Suffolk Border League title hopes a major boost after beating fellow high-flyers Gas Recreation 3-2.

With leaders Little Oakley inactive, Alresford moved to within four points of the Acorns, with Gas third.

Ryan Lewis scored twice and he was joined on the scoresheet by Brett Bellamy.

John Bulmer and substitute Ryan Taylor replied for Gas.

Alresford have played three games more than both Oakley and Gas.

Coggeshall Town Reserves are fourth but they were also without a game on Saturday.

Fifth-placed West Bergholt suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Harwich and Parkeston.

The Shrimpers' Matt Geen gave his side the lead with an excellent angled shot in the tenth minute.

Lee Barnard then drew the home defence out and Geen played in Michael Murray, who netted Harwich's second.

Three minutes into the second half, Jack Harrington reduced the arrears for Bergholt.

Harwich then had to weather a storm before Barnard won and converted a penalty, to restore his side's two-goal cushion in the 90th minute.

There were three other premier division fixtures at the weekend - and plenty of goals.

Brantham Athletic Reserves romped to a 6-1 victory at second-bottom Holland FC Reserves,

Harry Parkes led the way with a hat-trick and there were single strikes from Kieran Lawler, Alfred Smith and James Crissell.

Hatfield Peverel also enjoyed a big victory on the road, winning 4-1 at Earls Colne.

Lawrence Hale and Ross Long both scored twice, with Jack Preston grabbing the Colne consolation.

Weeley Athletic ran out 2-0 winners at basement boys Barnston.

Ross Nash and Mitchell Payne netted at High Easter Road.

First division leaders Hedinghams United were held to a 1-1 draw by Cressing United.

Daniel Webb scored the Hedinghams goal and they are now just a point above Dedham Old Boys, who won 1-0 at Tiptree Jobserve thanks to John-Joseph Peat's strike.

The only other game in the division saw Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves - inspired by Shane Goodyear's brace - win 3-2 at Gas Recreation Reserves.