BRANTHAM ATHLETIC'S push for promotion from the Thurlow Nunn League premier division was dealt a blow with a 1-0 home defeat by Long Melford.

The third-placed hosts had been hoping to respond to a 5-0 win for promotion rivals Coggeshall Town on Friday night, but were unable to against their visitors, who are sitting in mid-table.

Elsewhere in the premier division, FC CLACTON gained no reward from their long journey to Kirkley and Pakefield as they suffered a 4-0 defeat.

In division one, HOLLAND FC ended a six-game run without a league victory by beating Wisbech St Mary 4-2 at the Rush Green Bowl with a win that saw them jump above LITTLE OAKLEY in the table.

The Acorns had beaten Holland in midweek, but were left to rue missed chances on their trip to Cornard United and only had a Lewis Wood strike - his ninth goal of the season - to show for their efforts in a 2-1 defeat.

There was frustration for HALSTEAD TOWN on their trip to high-flying Swaffham Town.

Having taken the lead with a Jamie Baker goal, the Humbugs were denied the chance to build on that as a fire in a floodlight power unit in the 15th minute and subsequent lighting failure caused the game to be abandoned.

BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES saw their home game against Framlingham Town postponed by a waterlogged pitch.