With 17 games to go, the fight to escape from the Ryman Premier basement is very much on.

On the up - Billericay were celebrating after their first home win since September Picture: Rob Brown

The three points gained from this keenly-fought Essex derby mean that Town are now just one point in arrears of second-from-bottom Aylesbury.

And a run of just one defeat - by runaway leaders Canvey - in eight matches is dragging a host of other teams into the mire.

In the 77th minute Graeme Tomlinson sent in a superb cross, which Stowe rose to head gleefully home just six minutes after coming on for hard-working Michael Black.

It was Town's first home victory since September and left fans, who seem to be returning in significant numbers with a 452 crowd watching this action, in happy frame of mind.

Published Monday January 26, 2004

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