Brightlingsea Regent suffered a heavy defeat on the road on Saturday, ultimately losing four-nil to Walthamstow after a late flurry of goals.

Ryan Salter made just one change from Tuesday's hammering of Lowestoft Town, with Sam Cowler replacing Charlie Turner in between the sticks, and retaining the outfield ten.

Walthamstow began the game in flying colours, breaking the deadlock in the third minute of the game through Joden Trickett. A clumsy foul on the edge of the penalty area allowed Walthamstow to fire in a close-range cross into the box, which was eventually headed home by the home sides number nine.

Following on from the opener, Walthamstow dominated the attack, preventing the R's from grabbing a foothold on the game. Despite this, Regent were next to go close, after a short corner lead to some head tennis inside the box, which Joe Watson latched onto the end of, but lacked the power to head past Walthamstow goalkeeper Connor Pastore.

Luca Terminello was next to try his luck in front of goal, shooting from outside the box, ultimately shanking it high and wide, before the referee blew the half-time whistle, putting an end to an uneventful first half. A half-time substitute followed, as Tom Cottle-Wood replaced Dan Rowe.

Early doors in the second-half, Regent had a penalty shout waved away by the officials, after Joe Watson fell to the ground after an alleged push, concluding in a decision of no penalty.

Debutant goalkeeper Sam Cowler executed a fine double save to prevent Walthamstow from doubling the advantage, after Joden Trickett's pacey run down the wing was squared into the path of Nathaniel Orafu, Cowler was called into action, saving the original shot alongside the rebounded effort.

A flurry of Walthamstow set-piece and open-play opportunities led to the eventual second. Failing to clear their lines completely, the Regent defence was breached through one of their many corners, and despite initially being parried away by Cowler, James Collins was in the right place at the right time to bag a tap in.

Walthamstow's number eight James Collins was the man of the moment once again, beating the Regent backline for the second time in four minutes. Through a direct free kick on the edge of the D, Collins strike evaded the R's wall and the out of position goalkeeper to take the score line to three-nil.

Things got even worse for the R's. Walthamstow were awarded a penalty after Sam Cowler upended Elijah Grant in a goalscoring position, leading to James Collins to fire the following penalty into the bottom left angle past the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper, who guessed the correct direction, but the shot had pinpoint accuracy.

The hosts continued to press for more goals, forcing Sam Cowler into action numerous times, alongside missing the target entirely after a rapid break down the wing from Elijah Grant, whose squared pass into the box was fired high and wide.

Referee Jerahl Hall blew for full-time, wrapping up a disappointing afternoon for Brightlingsea Regent, who face Buckhurst Hill at home next Saturday, where they will be looking for the elusive second win of the campaign.