BRAINTREE TOWN secured their first victory in 11 outings after romping to a 4-1 success at Oxford City.
George Borg's side have had a difficult few weeks but put their problems behind them in the Vanarama National League South contest.
After a goalless first half, Jordan Chiedozie put the visitors ahead eight minutes into the second period.
Charley O'Keefe doubled the Iron's advantage and Liam Smyth quickly made it 3-1.
Oxford's Jaanai Gordon pulled one back three minutes from time but Braintree put the cherry on the cake with a stoppage-time fourth from Josh Oyinsan.
It was the Iron's first victory since their 3-0 success at Hemel Hempstead Town on November 9.
There was an eye-catching result in BetVictor Isthmian League division north as leaders MALDON AND TIPTREE lost for the first time this season, going down 2-1 at home to Tilbury.
Laste Dombaxe put them ahead six minutes into the second half but the Dockers turned the match on its head thanks to Thomas Barton and an own goal from William Cracknell.
Second-placed HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS closed the gap on their arch rivals to just a single point after winning 2-0 at WITHAM TOWN.
Both goals came in the first half, scored by Harrison Chatting and Alex Teniola.
Maldon still have the advantage of five games in hand on their neighbours.
COGGESHALL TOWN'S home match against Aveley was postponed while in the premier division BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT lost 3-0 at home to table-toppers Worthing.
Alex Parsons and Oliver Pearce (two) netted for the Sussex side.
Into the Thurlow Nunn League premier division and STANWAY ROVERS suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to fellow high-fliers Wroxham.
FC CLACTON, however, bounced back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory at home to Long Melford.
There were second-half goals for Chris Ribchester, Harry McDonald and Mekhi Mckenzie.
BRANTHAM ATHLETIC had no game on Saturday and neither did first division south pair HALSTEAD TOWN and BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT RESERVES.
There was a big result at the top of the division, though, as leaders LITTLE OAKLEY lost 2-1 at home to HOLLAND FC.
It was a rare defeat for the Acorns, who led at the interval after an unfortunate own goal.
However, Holland turned the match on its head thanks to a late leveller from Matt Gray and an injury-time winner for Steve Downes.
There was also late drama in the match between HARWICH AND PARKESTON and COGGESHALL UNITED.
The Weavers led 2-0 but Harwich kept battling and salvaged a point thanks to a late double from Sean Bartlett.
His second came from the penalty spot.
The Shrimpers played the last ten minutes with only ten men, after using all their substitutes and then having to bring another player off because of injury.
WIVENHOE TOWN'S home match against Newbury Forest was postponed.
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