FORMER Southend United hotshot Neil Harris donned his playing boots on Saturday to help fire Rayleigh Town to Essex Olympian League victory.

The Millwall legend and academy manager, inset, who lives in the town, helped Town secure their first win of the new season and got amongst the goals in a 3-1 win against Newham United.

James Morkunas and Chris Lewis scored the other goals, with Newham’s consolation coming through Sam McCarthy.

Hannakins Farm were also winners on the day and sit in second place after overcoming Manford Way 4-2.

Elliot Vile and Alex Kasparian scored in the first-half, with Chris Howard and Luke Skinner adding further goals in the second half.

Basildon Town were surprisingly beaten by FC Hamlets POAPC, who are a division beneath their opponents in the Senior Cup.

A John Gilroy brace and an Ashley King strike proved enough to see off Basildon 3-2, and cancel out Marcus Bowers’ double for the hosts.

Rochford Town were also victors, but they had to do it the hard way against Leigh Ramblers.

Leigh had gone into a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Max Corrigan and a Jack O’Connor penalty but the home side came roaring back, with Ryan Lancaster scoring twice and Lee Turner and Mark Pope hitting the net for Rochford.

Southend Sports battled hard against Hutton, who are two divisions higher up, but conceded what proved to be the decisive goal with only five minutes remaining.

And Hutton will play Benfleet in the next round after they beat Debden Sports 3-1. Billy Field, James Braithwaite and Dave King scored the goals to see up a home tie.

Rayleigh Town can look forward to a local derby after White Ensign won their first round match 2-0 - Jamie Brown and Daryl Cooper on target.

It was contrasting fortunes for Herongate Athletic and Old Southendian, with the later winning 2-0 against Shenfield AFC. Herongate went down 2-1 to LOASS at home to end their cup run.