Tom Blackwell had given Chelmsford the lead in the first-half before Josh Ashby’s header levelled the score.

The hosts were then reduced to ten-men when Dara Dada was sent-off for kicking Canice Carroll off the ball.

Andy Ballard and Ross Jenkins made three changes to the side that were defeated at Maidstone. Zac McEachran returned to the side alongside Ewan Clark and Jacob Bancroft.

The Hoops started the game in the ascendancy and the pace and power of Jacob Bancroft caused Chelmsford problem after problem, as he broke past the backline multiple times.

However, despite the early pressure it was the hosts who took the lead on ten minutes.

Tom Blackwell received the ball at his feet and swivelled, deceiving the City defence in the process, leaving the striker with the time and space to place the ball past Dudzinski.

Blackwell looked in the mood and he almost doubled Chelmsford’s lead from a free-kick. His curled effort from 25-yards looked destined for the corner of the goal but the fingertips of Ben Dudzinski denied the midfielder.

City started to edge back into the game after the half hour mark. Ewan Clark’s Cantona esque chip almost found its way into the top corner, but clipped the crossbar instead, as City looked to level the scores.

Then came the leveller. Goalkeeper Jacob Marsden cleared the ball to the edge of the box, in an attempt to clear the danger. However, it landed straight onto the head of Josh Ashby, who in turn looped a headed effort over the Chelmsford defence and into the net.

There was still time for more drama before the half-time whistle. The referee missed Dara Dada’s kick-out at Canice Carroll but his assistant didn’t. After a brief chat with his assistant, Chelmsford were reduced to ten.

City piled on the pressure from the start of the second-half. George Harmon’s cross was met by Iaciofano at the far post but the striker couldn’t direct his shot on target.

City kept on searching for a winner but a determined Chelmsford defence stood in their way. Harmon again came close with his effort dragging wide.  

Then, the breakthrough! Ten minutes from time, a superb ball from Ashby found Zac McEachran in space and he tapped the ball home with his weaker left foot to score his first goal of the season and put City ahead.

City held on in the end to secure a vital three points in Vanarama National League South.

Starting XI: Dudzinski, Asare, Harmon, Ashby. Fleet ©, McEachran, Bancroft (Benyon 68’), Iaciofano, Clark (Coyle 80’), Carroll, Kyprianou (Owusu 74’)

Subs not used: Matsuzaka, Rowan