SAM Higgins scored his second hat-trick in three games to help East Thurrock turn around a half-time deficit to beat Harrow Borough 5-2.

Rocks had taken an early lead thanks to prolific striker Sam Higgins, and they missed several golden chances to stretch that advantage before the game changed.

Harrow, who beat Billericay last month, scored twice in four minutes to turn the score on its head.

David Taylor and Lewis Driver got the goals for the hosts, with both hammered in from range.

But back came Rocks. Higgins scored his 29th goal of the season seconds into the second-half, and two minutes later it was the away side that had the lead.

Ellul, on just his second appearance for the club, got the goal that put East Thurrock ahead, although the decisive nail in the Harrow coffin didn’t come until the final 15 minutes.

Tom Wraight netted his 14th of term to make it 4-2 before Higgins finished the job five minutes from time as East Thurrock remain joint top of the Ryman Premier League with Dulwich Hamlet.

Thurrock lost ground on top spot after they were beaten 2-1 at home by Ryman One North play-off rivals Harlow Town.

Fleet were looking to follow up Saturday’s 4-0 win at AFC Sudbury against one of their main rivals for promotion but they couldn’t match the side they beat in last season’s play-off semi-final.

The opening goal came after just six minutes, as Junior Dadson exchanged passes with Jared Small and shot, via a deflection, past Rhys Madden.

That advantage was extended five minutes before the half-time break, and it was the prolific Alex Read that got the goal, following good work from Joe Benjamin.

Thurrock pulled a goal back 10 minutes after the break, as Ronnie Winn buried a header, but they couldn't get a leveller.

Tilbury were beaten 3-0 by AFC Sudbury, as three second-half goals dented their play-off ambitions.

George Clarke, Liam Wales and Ryan Henshaw got the goals for the runaway league leaders.