Takeley earned their first victory in a month with a 1-0 triumph over Southend Manor on Tuesday night.

Toby Hyde’s goal seven minutes into the second half proved to be the difference between the two teams in the Essex Senior League Premier Division clash at Station Road.

Takeley boss Duncan Easley, who also saw his side draw 1-1 with Sporting Bengal United on Saturday, said: “We deserved the win and missed a hatful of chances.

“I’m not sure how it finished 1-0 as they had some good efforts too.”

Goals have been hard to come by for 17th placed Takeley this season; they are the fourth lowest scorers in the division.

Opportunites are being carved out according to the manager, however converting them is the issue.

“We are creating plenty, we just need to put a few in the net, it has been a lack of goals that’s been costing us,” he said.

“We haven’t got a natural goalscorer in the squad, they’re not easy to find.

“We have players who are capable of scoring, but it’s not happening for them at the moment.”

Fielding a consistent side, particularly the defence, is also causing the boss a headache.

“We got caught open a few times as a team going forward [against Manor], we are struggling to put the same side out due to illness, injuries and players moving on. I don’t think we’ve had the same back four in two games,” he said.

Takeley visit sixth placed Walthamstow-based Wadham Lodge FC on Saturday.

Easley said: “They joined from the Essex Olympian League this season, had a good start, and have more than held their own.”

However, Easley is looking for his troops to climb the standings, adding: “If we can get a run together we’ll get ourselves right back up the table.”