DEEP into stoppage time on Saturday Brentwood snatched a dramatic winner through substitute Sam Bantick in this exciting local derby.
Until then it had been a classic game of two halves with Witham fighting back in the last 15 minutes to equalise after Blues had dominated the first half and built a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Blues, who had lost their two previous league matches 3-0, started the game in 19th place in the table, three points behind their opponents but with three games in hand.
In fact, after their cup runs, Brentwood have played less matches than any other team in the division and were looking for a return to form that would boost their chances of challenging for a promotion place.
After a run of seven successive away matches, Blues looked happy to be back at the Arena and for the first 45 minutes it looked as though they had found that form as they enjoyed a lot of possession and created a number of chances.
After good work from Blues striker Alex Read, Witham's Danny Sambridge saved well from Steve Butterworth and the keeper then tipped a shot from Robbie Rees over the bar.
Brentwood took the lead in the 22nd minute with a fine finish from Butterworth after a good build-up.
Daniel Lopez had the first chance for the visitors when his pace created an opening in the 27th minute but he shot wide of Elliot Justham's goal.
Sambridge saved twice from Blues full-back Ryan Doyle before Darren Blewitt scored the second goal in the 33rd minute with a controlled finish from close range after a free-kick from the left.
Witham had a chance to reduce the arrears two minutes before half-time when Billy Hunt got clear but he could not hit the target.
But that set the pattern for the second half when it seemed a different game with Witham putting pressure on the Brentwood defence from the start.
Sam Taylor and John Watson both had headers on target and Watson shot wide from a good position and Rob Whitnell was off target with a header from a free-kick.
Lopez tested Justham but as the half progressed Blues looked to have weathered the storm until Lewis Godbold volleyed home a fine goal in the 76th minute.
Read had a chance to secure the points in the 81st minute when Abs Seymour's pass put him clear but Sambridge saved well but two minutes later Danny Emmanuel set up Watson for the equaliser.
Witham looked to have won at least a point with Justham the busier keeper until Seymour broke well down the left in the 94th minute and intelligently picked out Bantick who drove the ball past Sambridge.
The win moved Brentwood four places up the league to 15th and they had another chance to improve their position with home game scheduled for last night (Tuesday) when Waltham Abbey were due to visit the Brentwood Centre.
