Ian Edge netted the goal which gave Ely the points – but keeper Lee Pacey's kept the league leaders at bay with some superb saves.

Tiptree started well and when Lewin Ward was tripped in the box by Jamie Alsop they had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead.

But Lee Owen's spot-kick was well saved by Pacey and things soon got worse for the visitors when Owen was sent off for two bookable offences in the space of as many minutes.

It was Ely who broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Dave Smith bundled the ball over the line following a corner.

It took the 10-man leaders only four minutes of the second period to find the equaliser when substitute Tommy English headed home.

But with Tiptree largely controlling the game and Pacey keeping his side in it, Ely snatched all three points when Edge headed past keeper Lunan midway through the half.


Soham Town Rangers 1 Ipswich Wanderers 1
Ridgeons League, Premier Division

In the end it was not two points dropped but one point saved as top-of-the-table Soham grabbed a late equaliser against struggling Ipswich Wanderers.

After an even start, the first real chance of the game came in the 15th minute but Darren Jimson volleyed fractionally wide at the back post when he met Aaron Turner's cross.

Lee McGlone twice came close to opening the scoring for the visitors midway through the half and, just before the interval, Jimson again threatened the visitors' goal but this time headed against the bar from Charles Libam's free-kick.

The second half saw more of the same with Soham unable to convert any of the chances created as Michael Simpson headed wide and Libam put over from Turner's cross.

Soham were made to pay when Ipswich opened the scoring in the 56th minute. McGlone made room for himself to control Laws' ball over the defence, before placing it inside the post.

Visiting keeper Hammond denied Libam an equaliser minutes later when he came off his line to block with his legs.

The woodwork twice came to the visitors' rescue Martin McNeil headed against the bar from Jones' corner, while Stuart Williams' follow-up shot was blocked. Then Turner's goal-bound shot, from a Paul Jones corner, was deflected on to the bar by Mills.

Soham thought they had a strong call for a penalty in the 74th minute, when Turner was upended in the area but, instead, the referee booked the midfielder for diving and awarded Wanderers a free-kick.

Just as it looked as though Ipswich had held on to take an unexpected victory, Soham scored a late equaliser.

With only two minutes remaining, Jimson flicked the ball into the area for Simpson, who held off a challenge before slotting the ball past Hammond from six yards for his 10th goal of the season.


Mildenhall Town 1 Haverhill Rovers 0
Ridgeons League, Premier Division

AT THE fifth time of asking Mildenhall Town registered their first win over Haverhill Rovers this season, writes Liam Apicella.

Coming into this game, Rovers boasted a record of three victories and a draw over their hosts.

On a blustery afternoon Lewis Baillie had the first chance of the match.

The former Cambridge City man rose highest to meet Stephen Spriggs' corner but Aaron Benstead did well to turn the ball over the bar.

But Benstead was powerless to prevent his side falling behind after 16 minutes. Darren Coe drilled a shot across goal where Matt Robinson was waiting to tap home his 13th goal of the season.

Robinson's strike proved to be the winner but Mildenhall have goalkeeper Ben Nower to thank for ensuring the three points went to the Recreation Way side.

The Mildenhall stopper produced two spectacular saves to deny both Bull and Ben Saud in the second half.


Newmarket Town 2 King's Lynn Reserves 3
Ridgeons League, Premier Division

Newmarket Town were again unlucky to come out of a game with nothing to show for their efforts after King's Lynn Reserves scored a late winner.

Newmarket took the lead in the first minute through Mark Angel but the visitors equalised and then went ahead.

Alex Watson made it 2-2 from the penalty spot but a King's Lynn winner in the final minutes brought more heartbreak for the Jockeys who, barring a miracle, look sure to be relegated at the end of the season.


Ely City 2 Whitton Town 2
(aet: 1-1 at 90 minutes)
Division One KO Cup, Semi-final

ELY booked their place in next month's Division One Knockout Cup final with an extra-time winner from Andy Chatters.

The Robins' former skipper, who has battled for fitness since returning to the club earlier this season, came on just before 90 minutes were up and fired his side into the final.

Ely had gone a goal down after nine minutes when Whitton's tall striker was left unmarked while a free-kick was taken and he drifted in to head home at the far post.

On 50 minutes Ely were level after Robbie Mason took the ball between the centre-back and full-back and chipped it over the keeper.

The final is at Mildenhall Town's Recreation Way ground, where Ely beat Needham Market to win the cup three years ago, on April 23.