BILLERICAY are third in the table following their 4-1 win over mid-table Colchester at New Lodge.

Town attacked from the kick-off and saw Kerry Oldham’s shot saved before the hosts took the lead in the 36th minute.

Nikki Dunsdon was fouled on the edge of the box and Sam Edwards scored with a deflected free kick.

Marie Barker doubled the advantage in the 43rd minute when she ran onto Holly Darling’s ball over the defence and chipped the Colchester keeper.

The second half started at a higer tempo but Dunsdon increased Billericay’s advantage in the 48th minute when she outpaced two defenders before giving the keeper no chance.

But Colchester reduced the arrears two minutes later when they capitalised on a mistake by the Billericay defence.

The visitors stepped up their offensive and forced some good saves out of Billericay’s on-form goalkeeper Michelle Bridgeman.

And the hosts wrapped up the points in the 89th minute when a counter-attack saw Sally Appleton feed Barker, whose cross from the wing beat the keeper and allowed Dunsdon to slot home to complete her brace.

Billericay manager Kim Coster said she was pleased with the result and is hoping to continue the run against seventh-placed Peterborough on Sunday.

Town are a point off second-placed Great Shelford and three off leaders C&K Basildon, although their derby rivals have two games in hand.

Billericay: Jacob (Bridgeman), James, Edwards (1), Appleton, Wilson, Barker (1), Lainsey, Roberts (Robins), Dunsdon (2), Oldham , Darling, Poleykett.