Dulwich maintained their impressive form with a hard fought victory over a Billericay side that pushed them hard.

It took Dulwich just 20 seconds to create their first opportunity as the returning Dean Lodge delivered a cross from the left that lead to a shot from Nyren Clunis that stung the hands of Lumley in the away goal and just evaded the onrushing Erhun Oztumer.

However, Billericay were looking to attack at every opportunity and when Kershaney Samuels gave the ball away and Isaac Layne will be disappointed that he failed to test Phil Wilson. Their next chance fell to Junior Luke but a good block from Boyer and the advancing Wilson thwarted the immediate danger at the expense of a corner.

Ian Daly had The Hamlet's next chance as he turned in the box but his shot was deflected wide. Kershaney Samuels then called Lumley into action with a shot from distance that was held comfortably.

At the other end a poor header from Ahmed Deen gave Junior Luke a sight of goal but he fired over. Nyren Clunis then embarked on a long run from his own half before finding Dean Lodge whose cross was just too high for Erhun Oztumer to direct at goal and Ian Daly couldn't bring it under control at the far post before it went harmlessly over the dead ball line. Clunis then hit a rasping drive that just cleared the bar.

It was Dulwich who grabbed the lead on 29 minutes as a long ball saw the keeper advance but he was beaten to the ball by Dean Lodge who headed beyond him and was clattered to the floor. The referee pointed to the spot and Erhun Oztumer's penalty emphatically beat the keeper high to his left.

The play continued end to end for the remainder of the first half but without any clear cut chances for either side.

Billericay were quickest out of the blocks in the second half and giant centre back Ricky Sappleton headed over. Dulwich then came close at the other end as a Nyren Clunis cross was met by a stretching Ian Daly but his shot came back off the post.

Billericay's Joe Benjamin then muscled his way into the box but dragged his shot wide and Dulwich had to survive an almighty scramble as a Peter Adeniyi clearance went straight up in the air.

Erhun Oztumer then set off on a great run and fed Nyren Clunis who fired just over.

With sixteen minutes remaining Dulwich doubled their lead as a counter attack was initiated by a great run from his own half by Dean Lodge opened up the visitors and he fed debutant Joel Ledgister on the left. His precise ball across the Billericay penalty area just failed to find the onrushing Erhun Oztumer but left Nyren Clunis with a only the keeper to beat, which he did emphatically.

That seemed to secure the points for The Hamlet but Billericay were given a route back in as Joel Ledgister was adjudged to have blocked a header with his arm. Glenn Poole thumped home the spot kick on 83 minutes.

The visitors saw a route back into the game and Phil Wilson had to tip a Poole header over and and a little later Kershaney Samuels had to hack the ball off the line.

Final Score 2-1
Attendance - 706