THERE was disappointment for STANWAY ROVERS as the top two met in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division.

Second-placed Rovers had been hoping to take a chunk out of Mildenhall Town's top-flight lead, however, they returned from Suffolk with an increased deficit after a 1-0 defeat.

Chris Bacon's solitary second-half goal was enough to give Mildenhall victory and open up a 13-point advantage over Stanway.

However, while Rovers were being disappointed at the top of the table, the premier division's bottom side were enjoying a good day.

FC CLACTON headed into their home game against Long Melford having won just once all season, but goals from Michael Brothers either side of half-time ensured the Seasiders claimed a 2-0 victory.

The win was enough to lift them off the foot of the table, but has put them just two points behind the side directly above them - Swaffham Town.

Elsewhere in the premier division, goals from Sean Gunn and Ben Newson saw BRANTHAM ATHLETIC secure a 2-2 draw at Ely City, but there was a defeat on the road for WIVENHOE TOWN.

The Dragons had Lee Clowsley on target at Newmarket Town, but they were already trailing 3-0 at the time of his goal and a further two strikes gave the Jockeys a 5-1 victory at the final whistle.

Meanwhile, in division one, two sides with aspirations of joining the top flight next season had 1-1 draws on the road.

Leaders COGGESHALL TOWN had to come from behind to grab a point at Team Bury, while fourth-placed HOLLAND FC also claimed an away draw with an identical scoreline at Wisbech St Mary.

Ray Turner scored Holland's goal on his debut the day after joining them from Wivenhoe Town.

The results left Coggeshall clear at the top with a seven-point lead over second-placed Stowmarket Town, although the leaders have played two games more, while Holland stayed 13 points behind Coggeshall having played three games less.

The results gave other sides a chance to make up ground in the race for the division one title and one of those doing just that was HALSTEAD TOWN.

The Humbugs bounced back from the 5-1 defeat they suffered at Woodbridge seven days before by beating Cornard United 3-1.

Liam Aves scored from a free-kick just before half-time to give the visitors a slender lead at the break and it was an advantage they built on in the second half as Aves tucked the ball in from close range from Julian Simon-Parson's knock-down.

An own goal put the Humbugs further ahead before Cornard grabbed a consolation goal.

Elsewhere, BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES beat Haverhill Borough 1-0.