MALDON & Tiptree won this top of the table clash at the Wallace Binder Stadium on Saturday and deservedly so as they were always slightly the better side throughout the match.
The win gives manager Terry Spillane's side a five point lead at the top and with a game in hand over their nearest rivals.
But the experienced manager knows it's still early days in the promotion battle adding: "There's a long way to go and lots of games to play so nobody is getting carried away.
"We just have to keep up the momentum we have built, work hard in every game and take those chances and score goals which we did in this match.
"We've some hard games coming up and of course when you're on top everybody else wants to beat you and knock you off that top spot."
But Spillane has quietly rebuilt the side since taking over at the end of last season and one of his best signings has been the experienced striker Jamie Guy.
The former Braintree Town and Colchester United striker showed his class again in this game, netting the all important winner on 55 minutes thanks to a neat interchange with winger James Robinson.
It was another old hand who had given Spillane's side the lead on 37 minutes when midfielder Ollie Berquez nipped through latching on to a through ball to calmly slip the ball past Athletic keeper George Kamurasi.
Athletic did pose problems for the home rearguard and they came close to scoring but there cause was not helped when a minute after Guy's goal Jake Hall was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.
Despite being a man down the visitors seemed to be spurred on and for a period they seriously threatened the home goal but were let down by poor finishing and resolute defending.
Maldon & Tiptree should have made the game safe when keeper Kamurasi conceded a penalty but the usually reliable Robinson shot tamely at him.
Five minutes from time the visitors did grab a late goal when Harry Agombar fired in a tremendous 30 yard shot.
But it was too little late and deservedly the home side held on to win and stay top of the table.
