STANWAY ROVERS were denied by a late leveller in their Thurlow Nunn League draw at Ely City.

James Crisell put them in the ascendancy at half-time, tapping home after a cross from the right was headed back across the danger zone.

However, the hosts struck near the end to secure a share of the spoils from a 1-1 draw.

Elsewhere in the premier division, BRANTHAM ATHLETIC secured a precious 1-0 victory at Fakenham Town.

It was enough to hoist them up to second in the table.

Alfred Smith's early header proved all-important for Matt Carmichael and Michael Brothers' side.

Unsurprisingly, given the wet conditions, there were some postponements.

Among those to be called off was the all-Essex affair between FC CLACTON and title-chasing COGGESHALL TOWN.

The sides had been due to meet for the fourth time this season, having already met in the league, the FA Vase and the League Challenge Cup.

However, a waterlogged pitch left both teams with a weekend off.

Also postponed was WIVENHOE TOWN'S home clash against another of the sides in the mix at the top of the table, Stowmarket Town.

An 11am inspection was arranged to check the condition of the pitch but unfortunately it was deemed too wet to play on.

Coggeshall and Wivenhoe are set to meet at West Street on Friday night.

Stanway also have a Friday fixture, at home to Haverhill Rovers.

In the first division, a few miles were clocked up as HALSTEAD TOWN, HOLLAND FC and BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES all travelled to Norfolk.

Halstead made the trek to Downham Town and won 3-1.

The hosts took an early lead but Jack Schelvis quickly responded for the Humbugs.

Marcus Warren put them ahead, producing a low finish after good work from Adam Hampson.

Hampson then conjured up a smart finish into the bottom left-hand corner, after the ball was only half-cleared by the Downham defence.

Holland lost 4-0 at Norwich CBS but Braintree's youngsters went to Diss and won 3-0.

After a goalless first half, they stepped up a gear and scored goals through Joseph Jones, Mark Dallinger and Aaron Dyson.

LITTLE OAKLEY had no scheduled fixture on Saturday but host Holland on Tuesday night.

The sides recently met in the First Division Knockout Cup and, on that occasion, it was Holland who ran out 2-0 winners.

Braintree's reserves also play on Tuesday, when they entertain AFC Sudbury Reserves.