By Dan Thurogood

FOUR second half goals from Vinny Durrant helped Bowers & Pitsea to an extraordinary 9-0 win against Hullbridge Sports and move them within two points of promotion.

It was 4-0 before the break through Tom Hine’s double, Jamie Salmon and Chid Onokwai before Durrant and a second from Salmon completed the rout.

The opening goal came after 10 minutes, with Scott Pethers’ long throw flicked on by Dan Trenkel and Salmon tapped home at the far post.

Hullbridge struggled to contain the threat of the long throw and Bowers added a second before the 20 minute mark. Trenkel was again involved as he flicked to Hine who finished under the keeper.

Moments later Hine lobbed Hullbridge keeper Dan Blockley to make it 3-0, with Onokwai adding a fourth just before the half hour.

Salmon scored a fifth just after half-time, after a save from Blockley fell straight to his feet before Durrant got into the act.

He finished a one-on-one following an initial save, as he got a second soon after from a James Stevens assist.

Just a minute later Durrant completed his hat trick after another ball over the top found Eliot Vile who cut inside and laid the ball on a plate for Durrant to tap in from just six yards out. And Durrant still had time to add a fourth for Rob Small’s men.

And the manager was delighted with the result.

“I was pleased with how we approached the game,” he said. “It is hard to sometimes motivate players at this stage of the season and the pitches aren’t always the best but we were terrific in this match.

“Vinny tries to tell me he cannot play left midfield but I’ll remind him of this game when he next questions that.”

Bowers can wrap up promotion to the Ryman One North with a win at Waltham Forest on Monday although a point should be enough as their goal difference is superior to FC Romania.

Basildon United were 6-0 winners against Greenhouse Sports as they secured a top two finish for the first time in 18 years.

The Bees had league top scorer Brad Warner to thank for a hat-trick, with Fahad Nyanja and a brace from Shomari Barnwell adding to the total.

Barnwell scored after just 60 seconds against Greenhouse, with Nyanja making it 2-0 after a Warner effort was saved.

Warner added a third before the interval and scored a second in first half stoppage time.

Two goals in three minutes from Warner and Barnwell completed the win to keep Basildon three points clear at the top.

Southend Manor were 4-0 winners at Newham as their season finished on a high.

A brace from Sam Short, plus strikes from Daniel Okah and Michael Hopkins ensured the points for Manor, who also had two goals disallowed.