Owen Bellamy chipped home Boro’s winner after 64 minutes but, just as he had at East Thurrock on Tuesday, goalkeeper Bradley Davison offered a big helping hand with a second consecutive penalty save.

Bellamy’s goal came when he sprung the Witham offside trap, ran in on goal and lofted the ball over the keeper, but just a couple of minutes before, Davison had dived full length to his left to turn away Witham’s spot kick.

Boro – wearing Barking’s white change shirts as Witham’s yellow shirts clashed – had a decent effort that narrowly cleared the bar after four minutes and shortly afterwards, Lewis Browne was denied by the keeper’s diving save.

The teams exchanged chances with Browne forcing the visiting keeper into a save after 17 minutes, but Witham ought to have done better than to shoot feebly wide after a forward had been found by a cross-field pass. A Boro forward headed wide and Witham put a good chance over the bar before Davison made a fine diving save in the half’s final minute.

The second half was lighter on chances; the goal and penalty save apart, neither side created anything especially clear cut, although Davison once again made a good save just after the hour mark.

A good work-out for Boro on a hot afternoon with Hornchurch next on the agenda at Mayesbrook Park on Wednesday.

Report by Mike Woods