WITHAM TOWN extended their unbeaten run in the Essex Senior League to six matches with a 2-0 win over Barking at Spa Road.

Kevin Hawes and Rob Whitnell were on the scoresheet for Town, to consolidate their second-placed position in the table.

Witham are in pole position to achieve promotion, with two games to go.

Witham were forced to defend in the opening stages.

However, they took the lead after 20 minutes when Hawes fired Whitnell’s cross into the roof of the net.

Town doubled their advantage, three minutes later.

Whitnell scored with a fierce shot that the Barking keeper got a hand to but found too powerful to stop.

Witham dominated after half-time, with Barking hardly getting out of their own half.

When they did threaten they hit the woodwork and goalkeeper Rhys Madden saved well.

Barking keeper Clarke made some superb saves in the closing stages to prevent Town’s victory from being even more comprehensive.

FC CLACTON played out a goal-less draw with promotion rivals Brantham Athletic, in Ridgeons League division one.

Brantham have gone top on goal difference with the point they earned, in front of a bumper crowd of more than 200, at the Rush Green Bowl.

There were few goalscoring opportunities for either side.

Brantham goalkeeper Ryan Bedingfield made some good saves to deny the likes of Paul Hillier and Ryan Andrade in the first half.

Lee Grimwood went close for the visitors after the break and although the Seasiders went close with an effort that just failed to cross the line, honours finished even.

Elsewhere in division one, Chris Bryan scored a spectacular late winner for HALSTEAD TOWN at March Town United.

Bryan helped Town to a 2-1 win at Robin Goodfellows Lane after they had trailed at the break.

Halstead’s Ray Turner had an effort ruled out for offside flag in the early stages.

But March were rather useful up front, with Ashley Brand always in the action.

The first 20 minutes of play swung from end to end, with the respective defences generally in charge of the situation.

The deadlock was broken ten minutes before half-time when keeper Ed Wootten palmed Ashley Brand’s corner into his own net.

Although the home side pressed strongly for more, the visitors suffered no more damage before the interval.

Halstead came more into the game after the break and gave the March defence a thorough examination.

They were back on level terms when Turner scored from the spot, after Bryan had been fouled by the March keeper in the area.

Town pushed for a winner after that and Tom Webb went close with a cross-shot, while Bryan rattled the far post with a clever effort.

Halstead sealed the points with five minutes to go when he turned defender Rogan McGeorge and cracked home a superb winner, that left the keeper helpless.

STANWAY ROVERS travel to play Debenham LC in the Ridgeons League premier division tonight.