BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT appear to have one foot in the Ryman League premier division after a 2-1 victory at home to AFC Hornchurch today.

Goals from Billy Hunt and Phil Kelly kept the R’s nine points clear of second-placed MALDON AND TIPTREE, who defeated Wroxham 3-0 at Park Drive.

And with just four games left, they are still firmly in the driving seat in terms of sewing up the division north title.

Having seen off play-off chasers Haringey Borough last Saturday, James Webster’s side faced another tough task against third-placed Hornchurch.

However, Hunt’s 15th-minute goal settled any nerves as his powerful shot from the left proved too strong for keeper Sam Mott.

Kelly then added a trademark second on the hour-mark, cutting in from the right and curling an exquisite effort into the top left-hand corner.

Hornchurch’s consolation came deep in stoppage time, after a deep cross from the right.

Elliot Styles met it with an unstoppable header that flew past keeper Sam Cowler.

Regent will now hope to cement top spot as soon as possible.

They are back at North Road next weekend, against Romford, while Maldon play host to Dereham Town.

Kevin Horlock’s Jammers stayed in contention thanks to an empathic victory against already-relegated Wroxham.

Liam Nash and Adam Mills netted first-half goals, before a late third from Sam Newson.

Nash’s early opener was a tremendous long-range strike after a powerful run.

Mills then doubled the hosts’ lead with a follow-up effort, after the Wroxham keeper saved Newson’s shot.

Maldon’s third came from a counter-attack started by keeper Dan Wilks.

Tarryn Allarakhia and Rhys Henry were both involved before the latter played in Newson, who took full advantage to make it 3-0.

Elsewhere, there were defeats for both WITHAM TOWN and HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS.

Witham’s run of encouraging form was halted by a 2-1 reverse at Ware.

All the goals came in the second half, with Witham’s Ryan Charles quickly cancelling out an effort from Lee White.

However, it was Ware who grabbed a winner, on 75 minutes, scored by Evandro Delgado.

Witham, 12th in the table, had been unbeaten in their previous five, winning four of them.

Darelle Russell scored the only goal of the game, on the hour-mark, as Swifts, unbeaten in three prior to kick-off, went down 1-0 at Waltham Abbey.

Jody Brown’s side remain 19th in the table, five points behind third-from-bottom Ware.