LITTLE Oakley claimed a 1-1 draw at FC Clacton in the Essex Senior League to extend their unbeaten to seven games, writes LARRY DOBKIN.

The Acorns took the lead after eight minutes at the Austin Arena, with Danny Garrard guiding the ball into the corner of the goal after Harry Mann had got into the box and laid the ball off.

Oakley were playing with confidence and a flowing move through the centre of the park found Cooke who beat a defender and fired off a speculative shot that went narrowly over the bar.

But Clacton gained possession in midfield and a defence-splitting ball looked to have given them a goalscoring opportunity but Jamie Dobkin's good interception allowed Oakley to clear their lines.

Clacton continued to attack and a driven cross seemed to give Joyce problems before dipping just over the bar, as Oakley went in at the break ahead.

Clacton came out for the second half in determined mood and a mazy run by the right-winger from midfield saw him beat two Oakley defenders before firing over.

Oakley were working hard to regain the ball and when Garrard won the ball with a hard tackle, he picked out Mann who cut in and fired in a shot that was deflected off for a corner.

However, the Seasiders were awarded a penalty when their player went down under Owusu-Boakye's challenge in the area and a penalty was awarded.

The penalty was well taken but Daniel Joyce managed to get fingertips to the ball, pushing the ball onto the post and out into the box.

Clacton collected the rebound and hit a strong shot back at the goal only to find Joyce in excellent form again, diving and saving the ball while pushing the ball back out into the box where a further shot was goalbound.

Nobbs rose to head off the line but only managed to nod it into the top of the net to equalise.

Clacton were now on top and directly from the restart, got the ball out to the wing drawing Oakley defenders out of position.

It led to a cross that come into the box where a flicked header went wide of the post.

And Clacton had another chance when their centre-forward looked to place the ball into the corner of the goal but the in-form Joyce pulled off a diving save.

With time running out James won the ball in the Oakley half and exchanged passes with Cooke, who controlled the ball and played the ball through the centre of the field.

It set Mann free for a one on one with the keeper, who was well placed and saved easily to ensure the spoils were shared.

Oakley's man of match was Nico Farthing.