CONCORD Rangers were beaten 2-0 by an impressive Margate side as the non-league season edges ever nearer.

The first goal came after just four minutes, as a well worked move saw the ball drop to Frannie Collin, and the unmarked striker drove into the roof of the net.

Liam Friend was expertly denied by Concord goalkeeper Tim Brown as the Beach Boys continued to struggle against their Isthmian Premier League opponents.

The second-half was a tighter affair, with Khale da Costa having Concord’s first attempt on target in the 80th minute.

Jack Evans scored a second late on from the penalty spot as Margate took the win.

East Thurrock United were beaten 1-0 by a youthful Colchester United side.

Tarryn Allarakhia, formerly of Maldon & Tiptree, scored the only goal of the game.

Canvey Island lost their third pre-season friendly in a row, going down 2-0 to Belgian side Patro Eisden Maasmechelen on Friday night.

The Gulls started brightly but fell behind on 20 minutes.

Georgios Tsirlidis, who had looked dangerous from the onset, drilled beyond goalkeeper Conor Gough from 20 yards.

David Knight looked the most likely for Canvey but couldn’t find a way through.

The Belgians doubled their lead seconds into the second-half, when Jean-Michel Houbregs got on the end of a free-kick to tap in from close range.

Billericay Town thrashed Southern League newcomers Bishop’s Stortford 6-2 as they continued to impress.

Town had the better of the first 30 minutes, with Joe Ellul, Adam Cunnington and teen prospect Daniel Cheema.

The visitors took the lead on the half hour, when a Danny Waldren free-kick was headed into his own net by a home defender.

Ellul headed home a second before half-time, although that deficit was halved moments into the second-half.

But substitute Sam Deering made it two goals in two pre-season games with a curled effort on 55 minutes, before powering in a fourth after the hour.

Billy Bricknell added a fifth goal from the penalty spot as Town began to run riot, with Louie Theophanous grabbing a sixth following a goalmouth scramble.

Stortford pulled another goal back in the final ten minutes Bowers & Pitsea eased past Enfield 1893, scoring five without reply.

A trialist put Bowers ahead midway through the first-half, before Jamie Salmon curled a terrific free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards.

Lewis Manor and a Fahad Nyanja brace ensured a comfortable win for Bowers.