By Martin Voller

BRENTWOOD Town moved up to fifth in Ryman Division One North after their 3-2 victory away to Cheshunt saw them stretch their unbeaten run to nine matches.

The Blues led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Sherwin Stanley and captain Martyn Stokes, but former Brentwood striker Adam Bolle hit back for the Ambers early in the second half.

A scrappy own-goal restored Town's two-goal advantage before Bolle scored his second of the game in the 88th minute making for a thrilling finish, but it proved to be little more than a consolation for the hosts who suffered their first defeat with new manager Glen Alzapiedi at the helm.

Brentwood's joint-managers Adam Flanagan and Danny Dafter made just two changes to their side for the trip to Theobalds Lane.

Daryl Robson came into the midfield for the injured Dafter while Sam Bantick replaced Courtney White in attack.

Town set the early pace and Ryan O'Rawe was inches away from heading in Louis Baucutt's fourth minute free-kick.

Cheshunt settled and enjoyed a good spell of possession but they found themselves a goal down after 28 minutes.

Teenage striker Alex Akrofi shrugged off the home defence before firing a low shot past Sonny Sheed-Ryan, only to be denied by the post.

There were sighs of relief among the home supporters but the chance hadn't gone yet as Bantick collected the ball and found Stanley six yards out and the striker poked the ball home to score his second goal in as many games.

And Brentwood didn't have to wait long for a second. Shad Ngandu and Robbie Rees both went close before skipper Stokes smashed the ball high into the net from just a couple of yards after Cheshunt failed to deal with Rees' corner.

Alzapiedi has only been in charge at Cheshunt for three matches but he has had a great start with two wins and a draw and his half-time team talk certainly galvanised his side.

Bolle gave Brentwood an early scare when he hit the crossbar just moments in and the former Blue went closer still when he rifled the ball into the net in the 51st minute.

Brentwood regained their composure and Akrofi had a penalty shout waved off on the hour mark before he set up Rees who struck the outside of the post with a neat looping header.

But the Blues persisted and they soon reaped the rewards.

Sheed-Ryan produced a fine save to thwart Bantick but his defence was unable to deal with the subsequent corner which was inadvertently knocked over the line by a Cheshunt defender.

To their credit, the Hertfordshire side showed great resolve in front of their home crowd and Bolle once again pegged a goal back with an excellent glancing header two minutes before the end.

The hosts ramped up the pressure in search of a late equaliser but Brentwood held on for their third consecutive win.

Captain and goalscorer Stokes said after the game that his side "made it difficult for themselves," but added, "We got a win still and that's what matters."

Brentwood will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches on Tuesday night when they travel to Leslie Field to face Burnham Ramblers.

Brentwood: Bowles, Mbulu, Baucutt, Stokes (C), O'Rawe, Robson, Bantick (Rooke 87?), Ngandu, Akrofi, Stanley (White 81?), Rees (Lomotey 83?).

Unused subs: Dafter, Pellin.