Waltham Abbey picked up their first league win since October as they started life without former boss Martin Hayes with a 2-1 win at Phoenix Sports on Saturday.

After an 11-day break from Isthmian Division One North action this was the Abbotts’ first match since Hayes quit in the aftermath of the 4-1 loss at Brightlingsea Regent at the beginning of the month.

Under the guidance of the former Arsenal and Celtic player’s assistants, Mark Cutler and Paul Joynes, Abbey fell behind after 23 minutes to a goal from Adrian Stone.

Ricky Freeman found Stone who, with the hosts’ first effort on goal, shot beyond Aaron Omand.

However, eight minutes later striker Christian Assombalonga levelled after capitalising on a defensive slip-up and celebrated becoming a dad for the first time last week by cradling a team-mate.

Abbey’s task was made easier just before half-time as Phoenix’s Ryan Blackman was shown a straight red card just after Macauley Joynes, son of caretaker boss Paul, cleared off the line to prevent the hosts going 2-1 up.

And on the hour mark, Assombalonga repeated the trick to give Joynes the perfect start as caretaker at Capershotts.

Slipped in by Ryan Flack he rounded the home goalkeeper before tucking into the empty net.

The Abbotts should have played Barkingside on Monday but the game was postponed due to the weather.

They host Cray Wanderers on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Isthmian Division One North, Redbridge lost 1-0 at Great Wakering Rovers as former player Jacob Cleaver proved the match-winner.

Cleaver got the game’s only goal after 19 minutes, clipping the ball beyond the onrushing Sam Sargent following a good ball forward, condemning the Motormen to their fourth consecutive defeat in the league.

Dave Ross and Ricky Eaton’s men offered a threat but struggled to trouble Rovers goalkeeper Adam Seal who made just one notable save in the first half.

Kris Newby might have added a second for the hosts after the break but it stayed 1-0 to Rovers.

Redbridge host AFC Sudbury on Saturday as they look for a first league win in six games.