LEISTON’S fine start to their Bostik Premier season continued as they stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches tonight, thanks to a 3-2 home win over BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT.

Impressive Leiston have now won six and drawn the other three of their nine league matches, following Byron Lawrence’s 86th minute winner in front of a crowd of 249 at Victory Road.

Joe Jefford had put Leiston 1-0 up on 19 minutes, only for Aaron Condon to equalise for the R’s just a minute later. But the hosts were 2-1 up at half-time, via Jack Ainsley’s 35th minute effort.

Brightlingsea, enjoying their first-ever season at this level, equalised for a second time through an in-form Tom Richardson in the 66th minute, but they were reduced to 10 men by Robbie Rees’ 82nd minute dismissal.

And Lawrence then struck with a late winner.

Also in Bostik Premier, NEEDHAM MARKET slithered to a 1-0 defeat at Thurrock, beaten by Remi Sutton’s 33rd minute goal.

In Bostik North, AFC SUDBURY, with Mark Morsley having been appointed their new manager earlier this week, shared a 1-1 home draw aggainst MALDON & TIPTREE in front of a crowd of 170.

Morsley was watching from the main stand, with Danny Laws in charge for the final time as caretaker boss.

It was 0-0 at half-time, but Louis Blake ran through to break the deadlock for Sudbury on 63 minutes.

But the Suffolk hosts could not hold on. Alfie Carroll was given a second yellow and ensuing red card for a foul when conceding a 78th minute penalty.

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe converted the spot kick to secure a point for the Jammers.

BURY TOWN cruised to a 4-2 home win over Hertford, racing into a 4-0 lead inside the first 50 minutes.

Bradley Barber (16) and Cemal Ramadon (36) gave the Blues a 2-0 lead at half-time. Ramadon netted a 47th minute penalty and Darren Mills added the fourth in the 50th minute. Hertford scored two late goals through Jay Lovell (80) and Ollie Sharman (90+3) in front of a crowd of 231.

WITHAM TOWN were beaten 2-0 at home by Bowers & Pitsea.