DEBUTANT Ashley Hawkins hit a brace to give Great Wakering their first league win of the season and lift them off the foot of the Ryman One North table.

Luca Frankis also helped himself to a double as Ryan Wilkinson’s side ran out 4-2 winners against struggling Ilford on Tuesday.

Hawkins’ neat finish put Rovers one up on 40 minutes, but the visitors levelled through a Chuck Duiu penalty two minutes later, following a soft-looking challenge from John Bradley.

But Ilford were reduced to ten men just before the interval when Samuel Sunday talked himself into a red card after being booked for a poor tackle.

And Rovers took full advantage by helping themselves to three goals in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.

Frankis, who came on for the injured Scott Keys in the first half, scored first with a header, then curled another one in to make in 3-1.

And then Hawkins, a new recruit from Essex Senior League club Bowers & Pitsea, poked the fourth home from close range.

Ilford added a last-minute consolation through Sam Adejokun, but it did little to dent to spirits of the home crowd gathered in the rain at Burroughs Park.

The victory lifted Rovers into 18th in Ryman Division One North — one place above Essex rivals Tilbury — and Wilkinson said he was happy with how his side played.

He said: “I think the difference was that we started brightly, which we haven’t been doing, and we took the lead.

“They got one back from a penalty — and nobody knew what it was for — but we responded well after the break and were in complete control.

“I was pleased with Ashely Hawkins, particularly his work-rate, and he could have had a couple more.

“I was disappointed with the late goal we conceded, but overall I was happy and if we can keep playing like that then we will continue to pick up points.”