George Purcell scored twice as in-form BRAINTREE TOWN moved up to fourth in Blue Square South with a 2-0 win over Bath City.

Both goals came in a first half in which Bath had by far the most possession.

But they failed to capitalise on it and saw their seven-match unbeaten league run come to an end.

Goalkeeper Craig Holloway, who returned to Braintree from Chelmsford City earlier this week, marked his return with two excellent saves in the first half.

He tipped Andrejs Stolcers’ fierce shot around the post and blocked from Stuart Douglas, who had found himself with an almost open goal after Holloway fluffed a clearance.

Holloway also bravely saved at the feet of Douglas, at the start of the second half.

But by then, Braintree were two goals up.

The first came after 22 minutes when Purcell drilled the ball home direct from a free-kick, 25 yards out.

And then Purcell produced a superb piece of skill to turn on the edge of the box and tuck the ball inside the near post.

Braintree shut up shop in the second period and little more was seen of Bath’s attacking prowess.

Iron even had the luxury of giving a quarter-hour run-out to club skipper Brad Quinton, who has been out since September, as they extended their unbeaten league run to seven matches.

HALSTEAD TOWN were held to a 2-2 draw by ten-man Godmanchester Rovers, in Ridgeons League division one.

Town had most of the game at Rosemary Lane but did not make the most of their opportunities.

The game will not live long in the memory.

And although there was plenty of honest endeavour by both sides, neither carved out too many chances.

Godmanchester went ahead against the run of play on the half hour.

Defender Tom Lloyd’s attempt was palmed into the net by keeper Ed Wootten, after he had attempted to tip the ball over the bar.

But Halstead kept going though and equalised two minutes before half-time through Jimmy Pirie, who turned home Ray Turner’s low cross.

Godmanchester went close immediately on resumption when Wooten denied Josh Kanau’s shot on the turn.

But when defender Jon Brierley was dismissed for a tackle on Terry Rayner, Halstead sensed their chance.

They took the lead for the first time in the game when Alex O’Leary’s low shot from the right flew in via a deflection off keeper Tim Trebers.

But despite having only ten men, Godmanchester gave Halstead several anxious moments.

And when Paul Bass cut in from the left and left keeper Wooten helpless with a low 30-yard effort with two minutes to go, Halstead were forced to settle for a draw.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS’ recent run of good form came to an abrupt end when they were thrashed 4-0 at East Thurrock United.

The Rocks moved up to third in Ryman League division one north with the win.

MALDON TOWN bowed out of the Ryman League Cup after losing 3-0 to Lowestoft Town, at Park Drive.

The visitors took the lead after 14 minutes through Adam Smith, who converted a penalty after Ross King had been fouled in the area.

Matt Nolan doubled Lowestoft’s lead on the hour when he scored from Carl Poppy’s corner.

And the visitors completed their victory with 13 minutes to go, when Bussens fired past goalkeeper Paul Rutherford.