BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT manager Tom Rothery saw more positives as his side came from behind to defeat BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 2-1.

After Jack Newman put the Imps ahead in Tuesday's friendly, summer signings Darren Mills and Joe Maybanks were on target for the Bostik League side.

“It was a good workout,” said Rothery.

“Brantham look like they’ll be strong at their level again.

“The first half was pretty good and I was reasonably pleased, because we moved the ball well.

“The second was difficult for both sides, though, and it was hard to get any rhythm because of the changes being made.”

Elsewhere on Tuesday, two goals in either half saw BRAINTREE TOWN win a third pre-season game as they triumphed 4-2 at AFC Sudbury.

After falling behind, striker Dan Thompson chipped the home keeper to make it 1-1.

Mohammed Bettamer’s powerful shot put them ahead and Reece Grant drilled home a third after latching onto a neat ball forward from Irnti Rapai.

Braintree’s tails were now up and it became 4-1 just before the hour-mark, when Bettamer headed home at the near post from a corner by Luke Allen.

Sudbury then pulled one back towards the end.

Meanwhile, next season’s Essex Senior League fixtures have been released and STANWAY ROVERS – who are now hosting FC CLACTON in a friendly on Thursday – kick-off with a home match against Takeley on August 4.

They travel to Saffron Walden Town on August 7 before their FA Cup extra preliminary round trip to Tower Hamlets on August 11.

Rovers host Clapton on August 18 and travel to Redbridge on August 25.