League points on the board for Boro for the first time since the win at Redbridge in early October, and although at 3-0 it looked comfortable, it took a marvellous save from Jake Anderson just after Halstead had scored to prevent the visitors from reducing the arrears still further, which would have made the closing stages nerve wracking indeed.

After a cagey opening, both sides fashioned chances within sixty seconds of one another. After 13 minutes, George Cox headed Lewis Smith’s cross narrowly over the bar, and within a minute, Halstead had forced a save from Anderson when Tom White linked up with ex-Boro man Alfie Cleal to create a chance for Jordan Blackwell, whose shot was comfortable for the Boro keeper.

Romford have struggled to get a score on the board in the first half of games recently, and there was some frustration as chances were again spurned. Camilo Restrepo fired over after good work by Adalberto Pinto and George Cox had created an opening, and Restrepo also volleyed extravagantly over from a deep cross, although in fairness it was a chance that Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo would have struggled to do better with.

Tambeson Eyong showed his forwards the way to goal with the first that Boro have scored in the first 45 since the FA Vase tie at Newmarket Town. Lewis Smith’s corner from the right caused some chaos in the Halstead penalty area, and the ball fell kindly for the Boro centre-back to score from close range.

Pinto set up Smith for a shot well saved by Jack Cherry in the visitors’ goal, and the well-upholstered Halstead keeper then saved twice from Joshu Osude in the 44th minute, while Halstead’s best effort in the time that remained was a shot from range that cleared Anderson’s crossbar by some margin.

The second half was just seven minutes old when Boro settled some nerves by doubling their lead. George Cox won possession in midfield and found Restrepo, who drilled his shot unerringly under Cherry for his seventh of the season.

A quick break by the visitors after a Romford move had broken down ended with Tom White shooting over, but Boro were quickly up the other end and Lewis Smith fired a dipping shot over Cherry for his first Boro goal in open play on the hour mark. Joshua Osude might have made it four when his pace took him clear of the Halstead defence after 64 minutes, but his shot rose over the bar.

Lewis Smith went in the book for his reaction to a tackle that he thought was a foul but the referee did not after 69 minutes, and almost immediately Tambeson Eyong was sin-binned in the aftermath of an incident in which Boro keeper Jake Anderson was injured.

Halstead strove to get back into the game and Jack Schelvis saw his goal bound effort deflected over for a corner. Halstead did reduce the arrears after 82 minutes when Joe Jones tapped home from six yards, and they almost repeated the feat a moment later, but Anderson denied Ryan Carter with a fabulous save.

Halstead’s Joel Older shot wide and Anderson saved from Blackwell as Romford were forced to defend in depth in the closing stages, but despite Halstead’s late pressure, this was a well deserved three points for Boro.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Bleron Ademi, Danny Hurford, Jacob Wiggins (Kris Newby, 66m), Tambeson Eyong, Scott Doe (Jack Glenister, 67m), Joshua Osude (Josh Wiggins, 81m), Adalberto Pinto, Lewis Smith, George Cox, Camilo Restrepo (Tyrese Sibanda, 63m). Sub not used: Jake Gordon.