Returning to the touch line, Paul Abrahams made several changes to his starting eleven, which included handing a debut to midfielder Rob Clark, having joined from Waltham Abbey. Shad Ngandu was absent through suspension, whilst Olumide Oluwatimilehin returned from injury.

On a blustery afternoon, combined with a bobbly pitch it was clear that an attractive afternoon of football was unlikely. Basildon had new manager, Mark Benterman in charge since taking over the Bee's on Friday. It was the home side who started the brighter and perhaps should have taken the lead, after a cross from the right hand side looked perfect for Joe Wright to tap home, however he missed his kick and the Jammers defence survived.

The Jammers went close twenty minutes in to the match, when Rob Clark's free kick rebounded off the crossbar, for an almost sensational debut goal. In the thirty third minute, Maldon produced the opening goal. A long ball from Tommy Dixon-Hodge was recycled and was played forward to Shomari Barnwell, who was perhaps standing in an offside position, however as the Assistant Referee's flag stayed down, Maldon continued to attack. Bryan Ifeanyi received the ball from Barnwell and set up Bradley McClenaghan, fresh from his goal against Canvey Island. The attacking midfielder took one touch, before striking the ball towards goal. His effort from outside the penalty area took a deflection off ex-Maldon man, Paul Shave, wrong footing the goalkeeper and settled in to the back of the net for McClenaghan's second goal in as many games.

As half-time approached, the hosts continued to be wasteful in attack, however one effort they did have on goal looked destined for the top corner, however Dixon-Hodge who was returning to his previous home patch, sprung to his right to make a brilliant diving save. On the stroke of the interval, the Jammers had another chance to extend their lead but Oluwatimilehin's effort was saved by the Basildon shot-stopper.

HALF TIME: Basildon United 0 - 1 Maldon & Tiptree

The second half commenced and the Jammers were forced in to an early change, which somewhat blunted their attack. Bryan Ifeanyi was withdrawn through injury and was replaced by midfielder, Rob Lacey resulting in a slight tweak in formation. Maldon's best chance of the second half arrived fairly early, as Scott Kemp beat his man in a wide area, before crossing to an unmarked McClenaghan, but Maldon's goalscorer was unable to plant his header on target, sending it just wide of the post.

With Jammers' legs tiring, Basildon were holding the majority of the possession without troubling the defence on a regular basis. Maldon did have chances of their own, with Oluwatimilehin sending an effort wide, with Lacey also heading wide for the Jammers. Oluwatimilehin was then cautioned for a rash tackle which was probably expected, following his spell on the sidelines without any training.

Benterman's side continually pumped the ball in the penalty area looking to utilise their aerial threat, however the young Jammers defence, led by Frankie Terry and Dan Obi continued to remain strong. As full-time approached, the Jammers had to call upon Dixon-Hodge once more and he dually assisted, producing another superb save to ensure the Jammers departed Basildon with all three points, with their fourth league clean sheet of the season.

FULL TIME: Basildon United 0 - 1 Maldon & Tiptree