LITTLE Oakley lost out to FC Clacton in a seven-goal thriller at the Memorial Ground, writes LARRY DOBKIN.

The Acorns were beaten 4-3 in an eventful derby match which saw the ten-man Seasiders staged a dramatic comeback, as two injury-time goals saw them claim victory.

Clacton are above Oakley in the league but the hosts knew a win would see them leapfrog their hosts in the table.

The Acorns had added experienced Michael Brothers to their squad prior to the game and he was on the bench.

Oakley took a tenth-minute lead through Danny Garrad and Clacton missed a penalty when Alfie Matthews' penalty was saved by Dan Joyce.

Acorns then doubled their lead before the break through Mason Lumley.

The ground was wet and slippery and during an Oakley attack, one of the assistant referees slipped and fell to the floor.

Attention was administered to the assistant but the injury unfortunately was severe enough to prevent him continuing.

Fortunately, Mr Mills was at the ground watching the game and was able to take over the flag.

Harry McDonald pulled a goal back for FC Clacton soon after half-time.

The second half stared with Oakley on the front foot and in separate attacks, Mann and Ridgway-Lumley had good efforts saved by the Clacton keeper.

But the Seasiders drew level on the hour mark when Jordan Lartey deflected in from close range.

FC Clacton were reduced to ten men when substitute Teddy Collis was sent off for allegedly throwing a punch at an opponent following a melee.

Oakley made changes, with Brothers and Tyler Sullivan thrown into the action.

It did the trick as Sullivan guided the ball past the FC Clacton keeper, after Brothers had won a header from a corner.

Oakley were playing well and managed to get Brothers in behind the Clacton defence, allowing a one on one with the keeper.

Brothers ran 15 yards and neatly placed the ball past the keeper but with the Oakley fans already celebrating the goal, the ball hit the inside of a post and came back to the keeper.

But three minutes into added on time, McDonald bundled in his second of the game for 3-3.

And in the dying seconds of the game, Joyce took a deep high cross into the Oakley box but was bundled into the goal by Mekhi McKenzie.

The assistant flagged but confusion then followed, with the two teams not knowing if the goal had been given.

After a lengthy consultation the referee awarded the goal, completing FC Clacton's comeback and leaving Oakley beaten.

Man of the match was Ridgway-Lumley.