Essex Senior League champions Barking were brought down to earth by the Airportmen on the last day of the season.

Blues had secured the title three weeks earlier and brought up 100 points with victory at Southend Manor in their penultimate match of the campaign.

But they were condemned to only a sixth league loss of the season by Stansted at Mayesbrook Park, despite opening the scoring.

Barking included joint-managers Glen Golby and Steve Willis in a three-man defence, while goalkeeper Rob Hatton was given a run out in midfield alongside Liam Burgess, James Jaconelli and Matheus Santos in a much-changed side.

And Willis put Blues in front, before Sam Ashford replied for Stansted from the penalty spot and Jack Isherwood gave the visitors the lead with a wonder strike.

Tom Le Masurier went close to making it 3-1, before Barking got back on level terms thanks to Willis.

Jordan Westcott restored Stansted’s lead, though, and Ashford grabbed his second goal of the game to make it 4-2.

Tom Lakin completed a fine day for the Airportmen with their fifth goal, as they ended the season in eighth place and joined Barkingside, Sawbridgeworth, Ilford, Clapton and FC Romania as the only teams to get the better of the champions.