HARWICH and Parkeston maintained their ten-point lead at the top of the Kent Blaxill Essex and Suffolk Border League after beating University of Essex 2-1.

Nevertheless, they produced an indifferent performance against very useful premier division opposition.

They took the lead on the hour-mark, probably against the run of play.

Steve Oldhamstead received the ball in a wide position, cut in and fired hard and low into the bottom of the net from an acute angle.

Harwich had a good chance to seal the match five minutes later, when University were penalised for a challenge in the area on Jordon Heath.

However, Darren Bethell blasted the resultant spot-kick against the bar.

This gave the visitors belief and, five minutes after the penalty miss, they levelled.

In the 80th minute, Bethell then made amends for his penalty miss when he collected the ball and took full advantage of the space in front on him.

He raced past two defenders into the box, until he was brought down from behind for a second penalty.

This time, Jordon Heath sent the keeper the wrong way.