JIMMY Cox proved to be Basildon United’s super-sub after grabbing the winner in a 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Brentwood Town.

Following goals from Harry Doyle and Ernest Okoh, the Bees were pegged back twice thanks to Marcus Milner and Andrew Freeman efforts.

But former Hullbridge Sports striker Cox, who joined earlier this month after departing Romford, came off the bench as the two sides emerged for the second period at the Cousins Car Wash Stadium and caretaker manager Lee Connor was pleased to see the new recruit make a key impact.

“I have known Jimmy on the circuit for many seasons and he is an old-school centre forward,” said Connor, who is also Basildon’s vice-chairman.

“You know that he will score if he gets a chance and it was great that he got his first goal since joining us.

“I brought him in to score goals and I felt we needed more strikers at the club because Adam Vyse is suspended and Harry Doyle is just coming back from injury.

“Jimmy is a great option for us to have and he will prove to be a very good addition for us.”

The Bees broke the deadlock inside eight minutes thanks to a textbook Doyle header.

However, Brentwood were back on level terms soon after as Milner found the back of the net.

Basildon restored their slender advantage with 24 minutes on the clock as Okoh netted for the eighth outing in succession.

But the Bees’ lead lasted less than two minutes as Freeman found a quickfire equaliser.

Darren Phillips, who is now enjoying his second spell with Basildon, saw a header cleared off the goal-line soon after the interval but the Bees were not to be denied all three points.

Cox was played in on goal and the frontman confidently found the bottom corner of the net.

As a result, Basildon have moved seven points clear of bottom side Romford and Connor felt his side edged the Isthmian North encounter.

“It was a game played in difficult conditions and the pitch was just about playable,” added Connor, who has led the Bees on a four-match unbeaten run since taking over following head coach Glen Kendall’s exit.

“We knew it would be a dogfight, especially in those conditions.

“I thought we dug deep, battled and got a deserved win.

“Brentwood didn’t create that many chances and their goals came from individual errors.

“But it was important that we got all three points and I felt we deserved to get the win, so that was pleasing.”