SEAN Bartlett scored a brace as Danny Slatter’s Stanway Rovers maintained their resurgence at the top of the Essex Senior League table with a comfortable 4-0 win over Southend Manor at The Hawthorns, writes MARK TUXFORD.

“The best thing for me was the clean sheet and bouncing back from our defeat to Enfield on Saturday,” Slatter said.

“It was very pleasing that the boys came in and showed the right response tonight.”

A minute's applause was held before kick-off to remember Club Treasurer and popular figure around the club, Keith Pattle who recently passed away.

Star striker Bartlett was a handful for the away side all evening, his first goal opened Stanway's account before Joel Older volleyed into the net from close range midway through the first half.

In the second period Rovers continued to mount pressure on the visitors and got their rewards when Bartlett found the ball on halfway and caught the Manor’s goalkeeper in no man's land further up the pitch, the striker watched his audacious effort sail into the unguarded net.

Substitute Tyler Fowles completed the scoring tapping in from close range, thanks to one of three assists on the night from Older.

Slatter’s men face Enfield again in quick succession on Saturday afternoon and will look to use his team’s individual experience to right the wrongs of the previous fixture.

One of those experienced heads is former Colchester United favourite, Karl Duguid, who rejoined the club’s coaching staff over the summer.

“I’ve always wanted to work with Doogs,” Slatter said. “He’s been a breath of fresh air and we have that understanding between us.

“The coaching staff as a whole have been great for me and we all work well together.

"We know the calibre of players we are looking to bring in and that is helped by Karl’s experience and contacts in the game.”