Waltham Abbey are winless in four in the Isthmian Division One North after slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Harlow Town on New Year’s Day.

The Abbotts were unable to begin 2015 in better fashion than they had ended the previous year, after slipping to defeat against their local rivals.

Both sides began tentatively at Capershotts, with Harlow carving out the game’s first opportunity. A cross from Junior Appiah found Shane Stamp, but his volley sailed over the crossbar.

Appiah delivered a second cross soon after, but it was David Cowley’s turn to place over the bar.

Soon after Stamp tried his luck again, beating several Abbey defenders with a mazy dribble, only to send his eventual effort wide.

Harlow goalkeeper Ed Thompson had to be alert to keep the hosts at bay though, saving well from an Abbey free-kick before Ben Hart turned his marker and brought a fine stop from the Town gloveman.

However just before the break, Harlow took the lead. A Cowley corner found its way to Fabion Simms on the edge of the six-yard box and he reacted quickest to bundle home.

It was the visitors who began the second period the brighter of the two sides, with widemen Appiah and Stamp causing problems for Paul Wickenden’s side.

Alex Read, Joshua Urquhart and Appiah all came close for the away side before the lead was eventually doubled after 63 minutes.

Cowley was again the provider, crossing for Billy Jones to nod beyond James May.

With 14 minutes remaining the Abbotts found a lifeline through Darelle Russell. Keeper Thompson punched a long ball forward away but only found Russell, who crashed home his own rebound after initially striking the woodwork.

The Abbotts continued to press for an equaliser but were unable to find a way past Thompson in the visitors’ goal.

Waltham Abbey’s clash at Burnham Ramblers on Saturday was postponed. Abbey host Soham Town Rangers this Saturday.

Brian Moses struck five minutes from time to earn Redbridge their first points of 2015 with a 2-1 win over Heybridge Swifts on Tuesday.

Visitors Heybridge took the lead two minutes before the interval when Reece Morgan netted.

However the Motormen levelled on the stroke of half time through Patrick Damali to go in level at the break.

And five minutes before the end, substitute Moses snatched the winner for Redbridge.

Redbridge also began the new year with a derby defeat, going down 1-0 at Brentwood Town.

Hosts Brentwood put the pressure on from the outset and went close via James Love, Robbie Rees and Ryan McFarlane in the opening stages.

And in the 20th minute Brentwood did go in front. Love passed cross-field to Rees, who in turn slotted under Mark Parker to break the deadlock.

The score was almost doubled three minutes later as Guyana international Shawn Beveney made enough room to shoot before dragging his effort wide.

Sherwin Stanley then planted a header wide before the break as Brentwood ended the first period on top.

After the break Redbridge should have drawn level. Chinedu McKenzie made enough space to cross for Damali but the forward somehow headed wide from three yards.

Former Brentwood frontman Jacob Cleaver was the next to pass up the opportunity to level, hitting the crossbar from distance.

Vinny Murphy and McKenzie both saw opportunities go astray as Dave Ross and Ricky Eaton’s side faltered.

Redbridge saw their fixture with Soham Town Rangers on Saturday fall foul of the weather.

The Motormen are away to Aveley on Saturday.

Four goals in 24 minutes saw Waltham Forest crushed 5-2 by Stansted on Tuesday night.

The Stags led thanks to efforts from Alan Callaghan and Hassana Traore had Forest 2-1 up before four second-half goals turned the game on its head.

Waltham Forest host Ilford on Saturday.