Waltham Abbey picked up their first point of the Martin Hayes reign on Saturday with a draw against Barkingside

After three straight defeats the draw was a welcome relief for new boss Hayes, though the former Arsenal and Celtic man will undoubtedly have been disappointed to see his side twice surrender the lead against another team who had been pointless prior to the clash.

The visiting ‘Side took the lead in the 20th minute when Junior Odeng converted a penalty.

But Piers Wixon levelled for the Abbotts just seven minutes before the break to send the two teams in level.

Parity did not last long, though, and Abbey were in front for the first time when Ryan Flack shot beyond Darren Behcet.

But the hosts could not protect their lead and were pegged back with 16 minutes remaining as Odeng netted for the second time.

The pendulum swung back in Abbey’s favour in the 80th minute as Ben Hunt netted for the home side.

Four minutes before the end, though, ‘Side dragged themselves level via Tuunde Adewunni to deny Hayes a first competitive win since succeeding Paul Wickenden.

Piers Wixon scores for Abbey in pre-season against Oxhey Jets. Picture: Dave Loveday

Next up for the Abbotts is a visit from Isthmian new-boys Haringey Borough on Tuesday.

Redbridge’s impressive start to the new season hit the skids as they were beaten 4-1 at home to Aveley elsewhere in Division One North.

With seven points from nine to show for their first three, the Motormen saw their unbeaten start ended abruptly by the Millers.

Having lost 7-0 to Aveley last season, Redbridge had every reason to fear the worst and were on the back foot from the start as Ahmed Deen and Petrit Elbi both went close.

Redbridge went close through Michael Ogboin, who rounded the visiting goalkeeper before losing control of the ball and failing to get a shot off.

The home side were made to pay for that miss when Liam Nash met a cross to divert past Jack Avery for the opener.

Lewis Francis and Ogboin went close in reply before former Waltham Abbey forward James Peagram doubled up for the visitors.

Redbridge celebrate against Brightlingsea Regent. Picture: Philip Lindhurst

After the break Paul Preston added a third for Aveley with six minutes remaining to take the game away from the Motormen at 3-0.

Redbridge grabbed a consolation through substitute Ryan Carolan but the away side rounded off the scoring two minutes later from an Elbi penalty.

Redbridge host AFC Hornchurch on Tuesday.

In the Essex Senior League Wadham Lodge surrendered their 100 per cent record with a 2-0 defeat to FC Romania at Theobold's Lane.

There was little to cheer for Tony Ievoli's men as a competent FC Romania dominated from the outset; two first-half goals sending the Kitchener Road outfit to their first defeat of the season.

Coach Neil Day said: “Perhaps we got carried away with some of the positive comments being banded around after our first two games.

“We took one look at the fantastic playing surface and licked our lips at the prospect of playing on it, rather than realising we could only do that by earning the right to play by doing the less glamorous football tasks first.

“Romania kept things simple and out-passed and out-battled us, we can't have any complaints about the scoreline.”

Wadham will need to bounce back quickly as on Wednesday night as they face local rivals Waltham Forest in the first ever derby between the teams at senior level in the Gordon Brasted Trophy.

Day said: “I think both teams have been looking forward to this match since the draw was made and there should be little motivation needed for either side.

“It is fair to say you can probably throw the form book out the window on the night and see which team wants it more – hopefully it will be us.”

Waltham Forest lost 4-1 at home to Burnham Ramblers on Saturday. Aviola Balogun got the Stags’ consolation whilst Dan Williams, Bradley Nobbs, Ashley Hawkins and Emmanuel Ekwegbalu.