HARWICH AND PARKESTON stretched their explosive winning run to a dozen games after running out 2-0 winners at WIVENHOE TOWN.

Both goals came in the second half and they were scored by skipper Jordan Heath and substitute Callum Griffiths.

The Shrimpers went into the game knowing it could be a banana skin against hosts that had lost their previous ten matches.

But Kieron Shelley’s side, who, in marked contrast, had won their previous 11, stepped up a gear after the break and ran out deserved winners – equalling a post-war record previously set in 1964.

It maintained their title challenge in Thurlow Nunn League division one south, keeping up the pressure on leading trio Hashtag United, White Ensign and Halstead Town.

And the clean sheet means they have only conceded three goals in nine games – quite a turnaround given the number of goals they leaked in the opening months of the season.

Harwich bossed the early stages and went close three times before the midway point in the half.

Shaun Kioussis tested Aaron Reid with an early free-kick, Joe Knight saw a header drop over the bar from Jake Kioussis’ corner and Tyler Rose raced onto a through ball but saw his angled effort smothered by the Dragons keeper.

Having weathered an early storm, Wivenhoe grew in stature and fashioned the best chance of the half shortly before the interval.

Aaron Donaldson connected with a through ball and got behind the Harwich defence – only to see his prodded effort deflect behind off keeper Sam Felgate’s leg.

Harwich pushed for a winner after the break and went agonisingly close when the ball was played in from the right.

Elliot Johnson composed himself and attempted to pick his spot, but his low effort bounced back off the right-hand post.

Jake Kioussis then went close again soon after but his dipping free-kick was pushed away by Reid.

However, it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors would break the deadlock.

Having dominated the second half, they got their precious opener after the ball was played in from the right.

Heath coolly stroked home to spark wild celebrations among the Harwich faithful.

Substitute Griffith then settled the visitors’ nerves, firing home to give his side a two-goal cushion.

Harwich remain fourth in the table – a point behind Halstead, two behind White Ensign and four behind Hashtag United.

Intriguingly, their next match is at Halstead on Friday night.