MALDON and Tiptree secured the bragging rights in the Robert Dyas League Cup over derby rivals Witham Town.

The visitors won the round one encounter 3-2 on Tuesday night despite a late fight back from Witham.

The home side had the first good clear chance but Danny Sambridge saved well from Lewis Godbold following a one-two with Danny Emmanuel.

Maldon came back strongly to create a number of chances.

However, on 23 minutes, Brad Hunter had to leave the pitch with an injury and was replaced by Femi Akinwande.

Hassan Nalbant got the ball in the back of the net for Maldon but it was ruled out for offside.

Witham then fashioned a chane when Emmanuel played a one-two with Pavett on the edge of the box but his resultant shot was blocked.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead when substitute Akinwande fired home from the edge of the box on 43 minutes.

After the break, Godbold made it 1-1 on 56 minutes.

But second-half substitute Darren McQueen made an almost instant impact when he scored on 68 minutes and then doubled his tally for the evening three minutes later.

Keeper Nick Oakley fumbled the ball following McQueen’s effort and the linesman decided the ball had crossed the line.

But Witham’s Scott Kemp got his side back into the game on 85 minutes with a strike from outside the box.

But the Jammers were able to hold on to progress to the next round.

Brightlingsea Regent also went through with an emphatic preliminary round victory at AFC Sudbury.

However, it was Sudbury who took the lead when a cross-cum-shot from Ben Robinson caught out keeper Andy Plummer and it looped in over his head on three minutes.

Brightlingsea had a great chance to equalise but Jake Gordon was denied by the keeper’s legs.

But the visitors did equalise on 24 minutes when Luke Read made no mistake when one-on-one with the keeper, following a good advantage by the referee.

Regent then went ahead on 38 minutes when Brendan Heath played in George Clarke who turned his man fired home.

And they made it 3-1 when Read crossed for an unmarked Josh Mayhew to tap home on 40 minutes.

And Clarke made it 4-1 on 88 minutes before a minute late Gordon scored Regent’s fifth with a delightful chip.