Saffron Walden Town moved up to second in the Essex Senior League table with back-to-back wins at Catons Lane.

The Bloods welcomed Takeley on Non-League Day at the weekend and romped to a 7-1 success in front of a bumper crowd of 391.

They had to come from behind, after Glenn O'Hanlon gave the visitors a 13th-minute lead.

But they did so in style, turning things around to lead 2-1 at the break and adding five more goals in the second half.

Kris Oti led the way with a hat-trick, as Palvy Manduakila, Scott Piggott, Charles Smith and substitute Stanley Leech also hit the target.

That lifted Jason Maher's men above Stansted, who were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Clapton, on goal difference.

And they maintained that position in midweek after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over St Margaretsbury.

Officially an away fixture, Bloods fell behind once again but got back on terms when Scott Pethers fired a free-kick through the defensive wall.

And they claimed all three points when the returning Lewis Francis converted a pass from fellow substitute Leech.

Francis tweeted: "Who would of thought that come back to @SWTFootballClub straight on my debut off the bench only just grabbed myself the winning goal!"

It capped a memorable 150th match in charge for boss Maher, who has led his side to 91 wins, 23 draws and 36 defeats in that time - a win ratio of 61 per cent - with 382 goals scored and 205 conceded.

Redbridge, meanwhile, moved up to third place with their 3-1 win at Stansted, level on points with Town but with a significantly inferior goal difference.

Saffron have four league games remaining and the Airportmen visit Catons Lane on Saturday (3pm).

Then comes a trip to Little Oakley (April 9), before home fixtures against Sawbridgeworth Town (April 16) and Hoddesdon Town (April 23) as they push for promotion behind newly crowned champions Walthamstow.