BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent’s exceptional Bostik League form continued with an eye-catching 3-0 victory at home to Bognor Regis Town tonight.

The R’s stretched their impressive run to just one defeat in eight premier division fixtures and they were worthy winners against the Rocks.

Harvey Hodd, Jordan Barnett and Billy Hunt scored their goals and there were also debuts for new signings Billy Jones and Reuben Mudd.

Regent have climbed to 13th in the table and, intriguingly, they are only six points adrift of the play-offs and fifth-placed Lewes.

After an even start, Tom Rothery’s Regent nosed in front after 25 minutes.

Ricky Griggs’ deep corner was headed away to the edge of the box and Hodd took a touch before drilling beyond keeper Daniel Lincoln.

His effort was aided by a deflection but it was a powerful effort from the wide man, who was also on target in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Tonbridge Angels.

Bognor soon had a golden chance when a ball from the left reached Harvey Whyte.

However, with the goal at his mercy, he skewed his shot across goal and wide of the far post.

Hunt lashed an audacious long-range effort just over the bar while, at the other end, the Rocks felt they should have had a penalty for an alleged foul on Whyte.

Regent nearly added a second just before half-time when Aaron Condon’s clever pass fed Hunt.

The striker had time and space but his low effort was blocked by Lincoln.

Brightlingsea made an excellent start to the second half and deservedly doubled their lead in the 50th minute.

First, Hunt raced through and should have scored – only to be denied by a spectacular block from Lincoln.

Then the striker burst clear down the left and unselfishly passed across goal for Barnett, who coolly stroked home from close range for 2-0.

The R’s had a couple of scares, including a thunderbolt shot from Theo Widdrington that whistled just over James Bradbrook’s bar.

At the other end, Hunt went close to adding a third but drilled into the side-netting.

However, the striker did slot home in the closing seconds with a low, precision effort into the bottom right-hand corner.

Former Harlow Town striker Jones had come on as a late substitute for Barnett.

Reuben Mudd, who also joined on Monday on a work experience loan arrangement from Colchester United, was also introduced in the closing stages, for Condon.

In the end, Brightlingsea held firm for an excellent victory and clean sheet against opponents sitting just outside the play-off places.

The game kicked-off at 8pm, rather than 7.45pm, as the Bognor players got held up in traffic and did not arrive until 7.30pm.