Boreham Wood 2 Billericay Town 0

A backs-to-the-wall performance from a new look side saw Wood complete the double over high-flying Billericay Town, ending their seven match unbeaten run.

Wood caretaker manager George Borg oversaw the win against his old club, unveiling two of four midweek signings who imediately joined the starting line up.

27-year-old Danny Barber had an accomplished debut, arriving from Heybridge Swifts. He showed his adaptability in playing the first 45 minutes in midfield before reverting to left back after the interval.

Centre half Anthony Fenton, 28, also made his debut in Wood colours, arriving from Wivenhoe Town, having also played for Cheshunt.

Paul Armstrong has also rejoined the club, having been released at the end of last season, while 29-year-old Simon Peddie, a right back, took his place on the bench having been signed from Woodbridge Town.

This was a stern test of character for a side looking to escape from the jaws of relegation and they responded magnificently. For large swathes of the game Wood were forced to defend on the edge of their own penalty area as the visitors rich vein of form was ever apparent.

As in the previous league game Wood were awarded an early penalty. The passage of play started just outside the Wood penalty area when Chris Watters intercepted a pass and combined with Simon Thomas to find the space to embark upon a long run down the left flank.

He picked out the tracking run of Barber who flicked on for Leon Archer who was pushed from behind by Steve Heffer, leaving referee Mr Forrester in no doubt.

Thomas raced up to bury the spot kick with his usual unerring aplomb, hitting the back of the net for the 22nd time this season and Wood were on their way after just five minutes.

Noel Imber was forced into his first save after 23 minutes, a low shot from Rikki Burbridge. The same player then wasted a golden opportunity, shooting weakly after ghosting in at the far post.

The visitors proved to be a handful all afternoon. Such was Borg's determination to protect the lead that at one stage he raced through the stands to remonstrate with his players.

But the Town threat continued to mount. Captain Jamie Dormer ran past three challenges inside the Wood penalty area, with his deflected effort falling to the feet of Leon Hunter.

His goal-bound volley produced a magnificent reaction save from Imber, who stopped the effort on the line with his legs to keep his side in the tie.

The atmosphere remained highly charged, with both sides earning free kicks in dangerous areas. Were it not for the brilliance of Imber the local side would have gone in behind at the interval.

In the last minute of the half a left sided cross from Lee Hodges picked out Hunter, who was again denied by the Wood custodian who flew through the air to repel his bullet header.

Borg abandoned his back three after the interval, introducing Ola Williams at right back in place of Yemi Atta, with Barber dropping back to join Ollie Adedeji and Fenton in defence.

Just six minutes into the half Town were stunned by a piece of sublime brilliance from Archer.

Imber turned provider to cap a superb afternoon's work, spotting Archer's movement down the right. He held off the challenge of Michael Aliale before crashing an unstoppable rising drive of the highest quality into the roof of the net.

Again Imber was on hand to push a low free kick from Dormer around the post as Wood continued their war of attrition against the visitors.

Steve Wales worked tirelessly on the edge of his own area to support his defence while Ollie Adedeji defended the Wood lead with his life.

Adedeji was the subject of some horrendous racism from a visiting "supporter" behind the goal, who was subsequently dealt with by club officials.

Williams did well to block a shot from Burbridge, before embarking on some inspired runs in the latter stages, whilst Watters controlled the left flank admirably.

Wood held on for a memorable and priceless win that leaves them on 40 points in twelfth position in the table. However with all but one of the lower placed sides in action picking up points, the task is far from over, with just five points separating Wood and the drop zone.

Team : Imber, Atta (Williams 45), Barber, Adedeji, Fenton, Bangura, Morgan, Wales, Thomas, Archer (Onochie 89), Watters.

Subs not used: Peddie, Donovan, Lewis.

Bookings: Watters, Bangura, Thomas.

Goals: Boreham Wood: Thomas 5(pen), Archer 51.

Man of the Match: Noel Imber.