Iron up to third in Blue Square South

But it was not a performance to send shivers down the spines of their closest rivals.

Iron had much of the possession but offered little penetration, nor poise at the vital moments.

But they worked hard, had a number of opportunities to increase their lead, particularly in the First half and in the end can be satisfied with three points.

They are now 13 games unbeaten in Blue Square South.

Weston-super-Mare’s keeper showed his mettle as early as the first minute when he reacted quickly to save Sean Marks’ sharp volley.

But for much of the time thereafter he watched shots pass by the woodwork or saw the play fizzle out on the edges of the danger area.

In the first 15 minutes, George Purcell was unable to connect with a teasing cross from Reece Harris and Jacob Mingle fired over the bar.

But Matt Game broke the deadlock when he rose unmarked to glance Purcell’s cross into the net.

Marks was robbed of the ball at the last moment as he shaped to shoot and three minutes later shot just wide.

A cross-shot from Purcell was turned round the post by Sawyer, who shortly afterwards rushed out to take the ball off the striker’s toes.

A Marks header back across goal was at an awkward height for Purcell to make anything of.

And two testing inswinging corners from Brad Quinton were capably dealt with by the keeper.

The second half offered much of the same.

Purcell spurned the best chance when he ran clear of the defence after a neat Marks flick.

But he opted for power rather than precision and slammed the ball straight at Sawyer.

Jacob Mingle failed to connect properly when he rose unmarked to meet a corner, Quinton’s long shot was beaten out and Harris and Purcell both fired wide.

The visitors threatened only spasmodically and gave Craig Holloway a fairly easy evening.

Two minutes from the end their centre back Josh Ford was sent off for a second trip from behind.

But the game had pretty much died by then and Iron had bagged a useful three points.

WIVENHOE TOWN scored their first away league goals of the season at Haverhill - but still lost 3-2.

Owen capitalised on two defensive errors to put the Dragons in command, in the Ridgeons League premier division clash.

But Haverhill recovered well in the second half and a strike two minutes into stoppage-time sealed Wivenhoe’s fate.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS continued their recent good form with a 4-2 win over Ilford, in Ryman League division one north.

But in the same division, MALDON TOWN slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Concord Rangers.

HALSTEAD TOWN played out a goal-less draw with Thetford Town, in Ridgeons League division one.

They will look back on the game as one that got away, after Lee Townrow’s penalty just before half-time was saved by keeper Matt Jackson.

However, it was probably a fair result at Rosemary Lane, as the respective defences gave little away.

Neither forward line possessed the guile to create clearcut openings, although Halstead just about edged the run of play.

Mark Emerson was out injured and Alex O’Leary was unavailable for Town.

It was cut and thrust throughout the early stages, as the sides tested the other out.

Neither keeper was called upon, although an early chance fell to Halstead when Chris Bryan freed Ray Turner only to fire straight at keeper Jackson.

Thetford were then denied by keeper Ed Wooten, who palmed away a cross to Cary Clayton, who fired wide.

Just three minutes before the break, Bryan was unloaded in the box and Halstead were awarded a penalty.

But Townrow’s penalty was too near Jackson, who pushed the ball away for a corner.

Immediately after the resumption Simon Mann got clear for the visitors but shot wide with only Wooten to beat.

That incident just about summed up the second half, with neither side in control with plenty of end-to-end play and numerous free kicks.

Although Bryan was always a danger for Halstead when in possession the final ball never materialised and it ended with honours even.

WITHAM TOWN breezed through to the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy semi-finals after thrashing TIPTREE UNITED, 4-1.

Despite being without several key players, Town started strongly at Park Drive.

But they were unable to make their dominance count and the Jam-Makers took the lead midway through the first half.

Michael Amoa was put clear and beat goalkeeper Rhys Madden before firing into the corner of the net.

But Town were back on level terms, five minutes later.

Ries Farley-Hearn sent Nick Emery through and he converted to equalise.

Tony Walkin then put Witham ahead just after half-time with a well-taken goal and Brad Stopher’s shot from an acute angle made it 3-1.

Madden made a couple of crucial saves to preserve Town’s two-goal lead.

But Farley-Hearn wrapped up Town’s win after polishing off a loose chance, to send Witham through to the last four.

FC CLACTON progressed to the semi-final of the First Division Knockout Cup.

They beat Saffron Walden 3-1 at the Rush Green Bowl, to book a meeting with Gorleston in the last four of the competition.

An own goal gave the Seasiders a fourth-minute lead and James Dunkley added to their advantage soon after.

Saffron Walden pulled a goal back but Mark White’s goal with 15 minutes to go was the icing on the cake for David Coyle’s side.