Basildon started on the front foot and appealed for a penalty inside the opening two minutes, but the referee waved play on. Cannons settled after that early scare, enjoying spells of possession and playing some good football without seriously troubling the home goalkeeper.

The hosts threatened after 18 minutes when a cross from the right found an unmarked player inside the box. He failed to make clean contact, but the loose ball fell to a teammate whose follow-up was blocked behind for a corner.

Matthew Huggins was called into action in the 32nd minute as another dangerous delivery appeared to deflect off a Cannons defender. The goalkeeper reacted well to push the ball onto the crossbar before it was cleared upfield.

Frequent stoppages disrupted the rhythm of the first half, and the sides went into the break goalless.

Basildon emerged strongly after the restart and should have taken the lead three minutes into the second half. An attacker broke through on goal, but Huggins rushed out and produced an excellent block as the player opted for power with a chip looking the better option.

The pressure continued, with a goal-line clearance in the 52nd minute keeping Cannons level.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 71st minute. Basildon beat the offside trap and played the ball across goal for a close-range finish. Huggins managed to get something on the effort but could not prevent it from crossing the line.

Cannons introduced debutant Nathan Kamavuako in place of Ramzi Mahmoudi, while Darnell Bromfield replaced Timothy Monsheju as the visitors searched for a response.

There was no shortage of effort in the closing stages, but Basildon’s defence remained organised and committed, getting bodies behind the ball and closing down Cannons’ attacks.

Despite the late push, an equaliser proved elusive. Huggins’ important interventions had kept Cannons in the contest, but the hosts’ second-half breakthrough was enough to secure all three points.