CHELMSFORD City ended their long wait for a home win with a 4-3 win over Whitehawk.

It was the first time the Clarets had won at the Melbourne Stadium since their 5-2 derby win over Concord Rangers on September 14 and ended a nine-game league run without a victory.

Caretaker boss Kevin Maher took charge for the first time following the departure of manager Mark Hawkes last week and made five changes to the City starting line-up from their 4-1 defeat at Margate.

Clarets took the lead in the fifth minute when Paul Lorraine turned Southend United loanee Jack Bridge’s cross into his own net.

Fellow Shrimper Jason Williams made it 2-0 in the 28th minute when he headed Lorraine’s clearance into an empty net.

Jake Robinson reduced the arrears in the 41st minute but Bridge restored Chelmsford’s two-goal lead on the stroke of half-time.

Billy Bricknell missed a penalty before the whistle went for the interval.

But Bricknell made amends for his earlier spot-kick miss with a fierce shot that beat keeper Craig Ross to make it 4-1.

Brighton-based Whitehawk replied with Sergio Torres’ close-range finish 11 minutes from time and Danny Mills lobbed City keeper Tim Brown in stoppage time to make it 4-3.

But Chelmsford held out to secure the three points that left them 14th in the National League South table ahead of their home clash against Sutton on Saturday (3pm).

The visitors are currently third in the table and head into the match on the back of a 2-0 victory over Dartford last weekend.