MARC Harrison enjoyed a triumphant return to the Ho Ho Stadium as his Tilbury side claimed a 3-0 win over Basildon United.

A Lewis Smith brace followed George Sykes’ opener to ensure the Bees would suffer a fourth consecutive defeat since Neil Blackburn took over as boss of Basildon.

Despite the setback, Blackburn was encouraged by his side’s performance.

“The performance was the best since we arrived at the club,” said Blackburn.

“We were more structured and our shape was a lot better, but that will get even better with more training. Tilbury are in good form and we were expecting a tough game, but errors cost us again and we will have to work on some things on the training pitch.”

The visitors broke the deadlock just before the half hour mark as former Canvey frontman Sykes found the bottom corner after latching onto a ball over the top of the Basildon defence.

And Tilbury doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time as ex-East Thurrock United man Smith rounded off a fine counter-attack. Dockers goalkeeper Rhys Madden thwarted Ash Blackburn before Smith completed the scoring by grabbing his second goal.

Basildon United: Olajide, Mead, Brown, Hodgson (Skinner 81), Brandon, Turpin, Cobblah, Singh, Zanone, Phillips (Santos 60), Blackburn