PHIL Kelly netted a brilliant stoppage-time winner as Brightlingsea Regent secured their first victory of the Bostik League premier division campaign, beating Hendon 2-1.

The substitute netted with a sublime volley to spark scenes of wild celebration at the Taydal Stadium.

Until that magic moment, it seemed the hosts would have to settle for a share of the spoils after taking the lead but quickly being pegged back.

They had broken the deadlock in the 74th minute, through Billy Hunt, but Hendon were level within a minute when Keagan Cole steered a right-wing cross beyond keeper Sam Cowler.

Moments before, Niko Muir had blazed a penalty high and wide for the London side.

The key moment in the game came right at the death, though, and it was Kelly – the scorer of so many spectacular goals down the years – who came up trumps with an unstoppable volley that flew over keeper Tom Lovelock.

It was a special moment and James Webster’s R’s will have an extra spring in their step for their next eagerly-awaited match, at Needham Market on Monday.

Regent new-boy Freddie Gard, the former Southend United Academy starlet who had been waiting for his international clearance to come through, had created an early chance for the hosts when his corner was headed over by James Love.

But it was Hendon who started the brighter and Zak Joseph headed over Oliver Sprague’s corner before Kelie Ibe’s first-time volley from the right flashed wide of the far post, from Rian Bray’s pass.

The visitors, who had won two of their opening three matches, then went even closer when Dave Deidhiou’s header was nodded off the line by Ricky Griggs.

Regent retaliated and Gard was involved again, when winning the ball and teeing up Hunt.

However, the striker’s low shot was saved by diving Lovelock.

Aaron Condon then lashed an effort wide of the left-hand post, after running at and beating his marker.

After a goal-less first half, the second period crackled into life with some gutsy defending from Brightlingsea.

Love and Jake Gould threw themselves heroically to block efforts from Joseph and Muir respectively.

Regent then had penalty appeals after an apparent push in the back on Hunt, before Condon cut inside twice in quick succession before shooting wide on both occasions.

There was a major scare for the hosts when referee Daniel Hanna pointed to the spot for a foul by Matt Cripps.

However, Muir blazed his spot-kick inexplicably high and wide, to ensure it remained goal-less – but not for long.

It was the hosts who finally broke the deadlock with an unusual goal, when Arthur Lee’s attempted clearance from Cripps’ cross smashed against Hunt and ricocheted into the Hendon net.

However, it was to prove a short-lived lead, as, within a minute, Joseph’s driven cross from the right was turned in by Cole.

Hendon’s Casey Maclaren went close in the latter stages when his downward header was stopped by Cowler.

However, the key moment in the game was still to come and it was fitting that the star of the show was Kelly - a stalwart of the club since their days in the Essex and Suffolk Border League.

Elsewhere, in the north division, Juan Luque scored the winner as HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS maintained their strong start with a 1-0 victory at Barking.

MALDON AND TIPTREE went down 3-2 at home to Hertford Town, with their goals coming from Ryan Clampin and Ryan Gondoh.

Nicholas Akoto was red-carded for the Jammers.

WITHAM TOWN suffered heartache after conceding two very late goals and losing 2-1 at Aveley on Friday night.

Elliot Ronto had put them in front just after half-time.