SHERWIN Stanley scored ten minutes from time to earn Brentwood Town a vital 3-2 victory over local rivals Thurrock at Ship Lane.

Blues led twice through Marcus Milner and Louis Baucutt, but former Brentwood striker Ross Wall drew Thurrock level on each occasion.

The game looked to be slipping from the Blues, but Stanley popped up with his 12th goal of the season in the 80th minute, to snatch the win which moves Brentwood four points clear of Mark Stimson’s Thurrock in Ryman Division One North.

The victory also avenges Town’s opening day 3-0 defeat to Fleet at Brentwood back in August.

Joint manager Adam Flanagan said: “It’s a good three points, it puts a little bit of distance between us and the teams below us which is what we wanted and we keep moving in the right direction.”

Thurrock went agonisingly close to equalising straight from the restart once Stanley had given the visitors the lead. Mark Onyemah struck the crossbar and Town did enough to fend off a late surge from the home side.

Blues were due to take on Billericay Town on Monday before they host Great Wakering Rovers at the Arena this Saturday, where they look to keep the momentum going in the play-off race.