HARWICH and Parkeston were beaten 1-0 at lowly Brimsdown in Thurlow Nunn League first division south, writes TERRY FRANCIS.

It was disappointment for the Shrimpers who for a second successive week, dropped three points to a bottom team.

A much-changed Brimsdown proved a more difficult proposition than when Harwich beat them 3-1 at the Royal Oak, last November.

In the match played at Tilbury, the Shrimpers faced blustery conditions in the first half and found their scoring chances restricted.

For Harwich, Rob Pratt made a couple of runs but was muscled off before he could get his shot in whilst Mark Palmer produced the Shrimpers' best effort.

A goal-less first half end ended with both struggling to master the conditions.

After the break Harwich forced corner kicks but were unable to take advantage.

The Harwich defence had played well during the first half but were caught out by a sucker punch in the 60th minute with a well planned Brimsdown break.

Advancing goalkeeper Brad Cook slipped and before he could recover Darnell Fuller had the ball in the net for Brimsdown’s vital goal.

Midfielder Mark Palmer worked tremendously hard for Harwich and was their outstanding player in a below form team.

Shrimpers skipper Gareth Heath also tried hard and had a shot strike the post.

Harwich pressed and tried to come back but their efforts to get the ball over the home defence were gobbled up by Brimsdown’s central defenders.

The Shrimpers now have a run of four home matches to get back on track.

They begin that sequence with a home game against May and Baker at the Gwinnell and Sons Royal Oak on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Harwich Reserves enjoyed another victory against a top club, beating Tiptree Jobserve 3-1 - Paul MacDonaugh, Gary Stanford and Matt Geen netted.

They visit FC Clacton Reserves, this weekend.