Bethnal Green United moved a step closer to promotion from the Middlesex County League following a dominant victory over reigning champions Indian Gymkhana

Bethnal Green United moved a step closer to promotion from the Middlesex County League following a dominant victory over reigning champions Indian Gymkhana on Saturday.

The deserved triumph - United's first at the home of long-time rivals Gymkhana - moves the club seven points clear of third-placed Bedfont Sports and firmly on course for a top-two finish and elevation to the Essex Senior League.

The outcome was a welcome boost for Bethnal Green, whose Premier Division title hopes were hit this week when the club's defeat by Hayes United last month was upheld despite allegations the league leaders had fielded an ineligible player.

United boss Justin Gardner accepts that Hayes are now odds-on favourites to be crowned champions but he remains confident that four wins from the final seven league matches will secure the club's main aim of winning promotion.

He said: "Hayes are in the driving seat but we're only six points behind and we'll push them all the way. We're still on track for promotion and the way that we played against Gymkhana, we should go on and achieve that."

Gardner was particularly pleased with a solid display from his back-four on Saturday, with Ainsley Gaspar and Ajibola Olatunbosun forming a dominant central partnership while Shane Baptiste and late call-up James Hoskyn impressed as full-backs.

Alfred Kamara, Marlon Boateng, Danny Sabroche and Marlon Campbell also earned plaudits and each could have broken the deadlock in a one-sided first half, but Gymkhana somehow survived and almost took an improbable lead when top scorer Dennison fired wide.

Kadir Jama finally gave United a deserved lead in the 60th minute when his low shot crept inside the far post.

Subsitute Jahed Khan added a delightful second late on, beating his opposite number and casually flicking the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper with the outside of his boot.