Basildon United 1
New Salamis 0
Basildon United picked up their first three points under new manager Ajay Ashanike with a last gasp 1-0 win over ten man New Salamis.
The Bees left it late to win, with a Kye Jude header four minutes into injury time securing a first win in five games after Cem Poyraz and Wilson Chingokwa had both been sent off.
It was a quiet opening period at the TLM Environmental Stadium which was dominated by the home side.
Visiting goalkeeper Reuben Rabstein was forced into a trio of impressive saves to deny Jude, Clyde Semazzi and Samir Ali - to ensure that the two teams went in goalless at the break.
The second half began similarly to the first with Basildon on top, and nine minutes after the restart they were gifted a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Callum Fitzer was released in behind forcing Rabstein to rush off his line and block the striker's shot, the loose ball broke kindly for Ali whose follow up shot was blocked on the line by the arm of Poyraz.
Referee Daniel Ripton pointed to the spot and sent Poyraz off.
Fitzer took responsibility from the spot but the 22-year-old saw his penalty beaten away by Rabstein to keep the score at 0-0.
This miss almost proved costly with New Salamis going close six minutes later with substitute Josh Williams flashing an effort just over.
The Bees responded with a chance of their own within in a minute through Salim Nassor who fired over from the edge of the box after a Semazzi cross had fallen his way.
As the game edged closer to injury time Basildon again went close with a scuffed shot from Michael Bareck hitting the foot of the post.
In the 90th minute New Salamis were reduced to nine men with Chingokwa joining Poyraz for an early bath following a rash sliding challenge on Alex Moss.
Now boasting a two man advantage Basildon were finally able to break the visitors' resistance right at the death.
A Fitzer corner into a congested penalty area was headed in off the bar by skipper Jude for his fourth goal of the campaign to secure a vital three points for the Bees.
A win for Ashanike's men sees them leapfrog Heybridge Swifts and Brentwood Town to move into the playoff places. They also remain unbeaten at home since September.
Just a second loss in five games for New Salamis sees the Salamina remain 15th in the table; 13 points and four places clear of bottom side Stowmarket Town.
Basildon: Marsh, Mbuenimo, Moss, Blackwood, Jude, Adewunmi, Ali (Bennett 90+5'), Nassor, Fitzer, Semazzi (Bareck 77'), Allen (Warner 69')
Goals: Jude 90+4'
Yellow Cards: Jude 40', Fitzer 86'
Red Cards: None
New Salamis: Rabstein, Batzelis, Meoded, Djadja, Arioglu, Ismaili (Chingokwa 57'), Poyraz, Waight (Williams 56'), Adu, Jackson, Hercules
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Arioglu 86'
Red Cards: Poyraz 54', Chingokwa 90'
ATT: 106
By Nathan Williams
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