Ten-man Walthamstow renewed their title charge with a late 1-0 win over table-toppers Stansted.

Marcus Bowers scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute to break the deadlock before the visitors were also reduced to 10 players for a late Sam West foul.

Both sides looked threatening early on; Leon McKenzie poked over from six yards after Samrai Gebrai’s cutback and James Bransgrove produced a good save down to his right at the other end.

The game-changing moment came when McKenzie was shown a red card for dissent after being flagged offside, leaving Stow with a mammoth task against the league leaders.

Stansted then thought they had gone ahead but saw their goal chalked off for offside and they also had a penalty appeal turned away in a lively end to the first half.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Stow began to take control of the second period and were only denied by an excellent last-ditch interception from Billy Coyne.

The only goal of the game came with seven minutes to go when Bowers got the faintest of touches onto Vinny Murphy’s floated free-kick into the box to keep Walthamstow well in the title-hunt.

Ilford moved into the top half of the league with a 3-2 over Sawbridgeworth Town, which takes them above their opponents on goal difference.

Yemi Adelani’s brace helped the Foxes to the win at Cricklefield and Lamar Douglas added one of his own.

Adelani edged the hosts ahead after just eight minutes, but Joe Wright headed Sawbridgeworth level only three minutes later.

After 25 minutes, Ilford had regained their lead when an acrobatic attempt to clear Douglas’ effort off the line wasn’t enough as the ball just about went over.

Ollie Fortune drew the visitors level once again on the hour mark but, within four minutes, Adelani produced an excellent solo goal to restore the lead once again.

The away side had the opportunity to level once more as they were awarded a penalty, but Hugo Rossetti guessed correctly to keep the attempt out and confirm all three points for Ilford.

Leyton Athletic remain at the bottom of the table after a 3-1 loss away at St Margaretsbury.

Lanre Balogun, Luke Marshall and Connor Scully all netted for the hosts as they got back to winning ways.

Balogun put the hosts ahead, only for Leyton to level through Okwute Izuchukwu soon after.

Marshall restored the lead for the home side and the points were sealed when Scully added a third to keep them in eighth-place in the table, while Athletic remain a point behind Barkingside at the foot of the division.

Finally, West Essex’s home game against Barkingside at Mayesbrook Park was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, with a new date for the game set to be announced shortly.

Meanwhile, Epping Town strengthened their promotion push in the Senior Division 4 of the Essex Olympian League with a 5-0 victory over Shenfield Reserves.

Town are now only two points behind second-placed Dagenham United, with three games in hand, and only four points behind leaders Corinthians.

Alex Paraskeva netted a goal in each half while Daniel Garfinkle, Eamon Payne and Harrison Grant were also on target.