BRANTHAM ATHLETIC kept their hopes of a top-five finish in the Thurlow Nunn League alive with a 2-1 victory at home to Ely City.

After a goalless first half, it was the visitors who drew first blood.

However, League Cup finalists Brantham equalised when Jack Sibbons rose to head home Ethan Abrahams’ corner.

They then grabbed their precious winner in the latter stages when Jack Smith fired home, following a long throw from player/joint-manager Michael Brothers.

Elsewhere, WIVENHOE TOWN came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at home to Gorleston.

Trailing at the break, Kyan Gulliver netted their equaliser by curling a free-kick over the keeper and into the top corner.

FC CLACTON suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Kirkley and Pakefield, despite taking an early lead through Terry Rymer.

The Seasiders led at the break but their visitors turned things round in the second half, equalising and then slotting home a winner from the penalty spot.

The weekend’s fixtures started with COGGESHALL TOWN moving four points clear at the top of the premier division table after a 3-1 victory at Essex neighbours STANWAY ROVERS on Friday night.

Jack Hayes put them ahead and although the hosts were on level terms at half-time, the Seedgrowers wrapped up the points thanks to goals from Tom Monk and substitute Kamal Guthmy.

Coggeshall now have 94 points but second-placed Felixstowe and Walton took their tally to 93 after a 4-0 victory at Wroxham on Saturday.

Coggeshall have played 38 games and Felixstowe 39.

BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES are fifth in division one after a thumping 3-0 victory at home to King’s Lynn Town Reserves.

After an own goal put them in the driving seat, the young Irons scored further goals through Jordan Sargent and Jamie Bennett.

Both HOLLAND FC and LITTLE OAKLEY put another point on the board after drawing their respective matches 1-1.

Holland returned home with a point after making the long trip to Downham Town.

Steve Eaton's deflected effort gave them the lead but their hosts equalised late on with a headed goal from a free-kick.

The Acorns, meanwhile, drew 1-1 against Diss Town at the Memorial Ground.

HALSTEAD TOWN did not have a fixture on Saturday.

There is a busy programme of Thurlow Nunn League fixtures on Tuesday night.

Clacton and Stanway have a rearranged north Essex premier division derby at the Rush Green Bowl while Wivenhoe will hope to build on their draw against Gorleston when they make the long trip to Great Yarmouth Town.

In division one, Oakley and Halstead meet in another derby, at the Memorial Ground, while Holland go to Needham Market Reserves.

Braintree’s reserves have a First Division Knockout Cup tie with Wisbech St Mary.