LONG'S STRIKE SO TIMELY FOR GATE

WINGATE & Finchley edged this clash between third and fifth-placed teams at the Maurice Rebak Stadium with Elliot Long hitting the winner with 20 minutes left on the clock.

- Michael Grimes

Billericay's manager Gary Mc Cann admitted the home side deserved the win for their first-half performace.

"We were no way near our best today, though we took the game to them second half," he said.

Wingate started brightly when Aleko Bani smashed wide a free ball from 30 yards out and after nine minutes Anointed Chukwu had his shot saved by Billericay keeper Dan Wilks.

From that point the game was a pretty scrappy affair, the Blues' attacks being cut short by solid Wingate defending.

The hosts thought they had taken the lead in the 25th minute when Long put in the rebound from a long shot, however this was ruled offside.