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Bromley secured three vital points with a all round team display of character and determination, plus a little bit of luck to beat full time Professional Billericay Town on a very cold afternoon at Hayes Lane, writes Colin Head.

The game got off to a lively start with both sides attacking at great speed. Away Keeper Dale Brightly did well to save from Nic McDonnell’s header from a Sam Wood cross.

But from the resulting corner Brightly only palmed the ball out to Jones Awuah who crashed the ball into the back of the net for 1-0 to give Bromley a seventh minute lead.

Billericay then came back into things with Andy Walker being called on to make two good saves from Danny Hockton.

Adam Locke and Barry Gardener both had shots just off target, but The Ravens found themselves being pinned back as the half went on, Robin Trott headed just wide for Billericay and Walker made a great save from a Ryan header.

Just before the break Bromley had one last effort on goal when Gardener curled in a free kick, which was just tipped wide by Brightly.

The second half carried on at the same beak neck speed, Bromley looked good, but slowly got pinned back by the Essex side.

Walker made two more saves and then Nathan Elder blasted a glorious opportunity over from close range.

Awuah and Wood combined well for The Ravens, but Wood’s final shot just skimmed across the ice and wide.

Colin Luckett played in Kevin George who also just missed the target from 10 yards and Brightly denied Awuah a second goal.

Billericay then pushed The Ravens further and further back, Elder hit the bar following a scramble from a corner and then came the major talking point of the half. Elder ran on to a long ball and took it wide of Walker who came out of his box and took him down.

After consulting with his linesman Referee Mr Margetts awarded a free kick and showed Bromley’s Keeper a yellow card. The free kick hit McDonnell in the wall and with the visitors appealing for hand ball, their manager Justin Edinburgh was cautioned by the Ref.

Deep into injury time the Essex side hit the wood work again following a set piece, but Bromley managed to hack the ball away, in turn keeping hold of all three points. Along with Walker in goal, Tutu Henriques and Mark  Willy were outstanding in the centre of defence and Kevin George had possibly his best game for Bromley so far.