It was a night of high-drama in non-league tonight, with some big East Anglian derbies, some big victories and also an abandoned match.

Brightlingsea Regent, enjoying their first-ever season in the third tier of non-league, were beaten 1-0 at home by Leiston at North Road in a Bostik Premier Division clash.

Kyle Hammond came up trumps with the winner in the 27th minute, his second goal in two games, in front of a crowd of 285.

Also in the Bostik Premier, Needham Market celebrated a 2-1 home win over Thurrock, thanks to first-half goals by Callum Harrison (37) and Ryan Gibbs (43). Jordan Clark (83) halved the deficit late on for the visitors.

A star-studded Billericay Town side secured a late winner in a 2-1 victory at Lowestoft Town, in front of a bumper crowd of 603.

Jake Robinson put Billericay 1-0 up on 10 minutes, only for Jake Reed to equalise from White’s cross just six minutes later.

But the visitors, who included former top-flight players Jermaine Pennant and Paul Konchesky in their starting line-up , grabbed an 83rd minute winner through Louie Theophanous’ back-heel from close range.

Bury Town were big winners in the Bostik North Division , thrashing Hertford 6-0 away.

The Suffolk side were 2-0 up at the break, via an eighth minute own goal by Glenn Draper and a goal from Leon Ottley-Gooch on the stroke of half-time.

Ollie Canfer made it 3-0 in the 49th minute, with Ryan Jolland (69) and Ollie Highes (79 & 88) also on the score-sheet.

The Maldon & Tiptree versus AFC Sudbury fixture was abandoned at half-time due to floodlight failure caused by an electrical fault.

The score was 1-1 at the time, L’heureux Menga having scored for Sudbury, and Junior Ofelia-Uzokwe side-footing home an equaliser for the Jammers.

Also in the Bostik North Division, Mildenhall Town were undone by a last minute goal from Jake Anema in a 1-0 home defeat to Dereham, while Witham Town were soundly beaten 3-0 away at Bowers & Pitsea.

In National League South, Braintere Town were hammered 5-3 at East Thurrock, despite going in 2-2 at half-time through goals from Phil Roberts and Billy Crook (33rd minute penalty). Dernell Wynter netted an injury-time consolation goal.