HALSTEAD Town were inspired by their new 145th anniversary kit after claiming their first league win of the season, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The Humbugs beat Stansted 4-3 in a highly entertaining game to register a maiden Essex Senior League victory of the new campaign.

Halstead handed debuts to McKenzie Bone and George Frodsham, while Nathan Scarborough made his first start.

Halstead started well and had a penalty appeal rejected in the first minute when Asa Cansdale appeared to be clearly taken down from behind, in the area.

Stansted were next to feel aggrieved when a header from a corner hit the underside of the bar and bounced off the line, with the Airportmen claiming it went over, but both referee and assistant were unmoved.

Cori Davidson rattled the woodwork again for Stansted who then had a chance to take the lead when Dominic Locke was taken down in the box, but the returning Jack Cherry saved his kick and Josh Darby's follow up.

Stansted keeper Charlie Turner denied Cansdale and then turned Dean Ager's 20-yard effort onto a post.

But the Airportmen broke the deadlock when Davidson unleashed an absolute rocket from just inside the hosts' box which left Cherry no chance.

Turner punched away Ager’s effort before Cherry's superb interception prevented Stansted adding to their tally.

Halstead immediately broke with Frodsham's superb through ball resulting in Scarborough poking the ball home after a scramble in the visitors' goalmouth.

And within a few minutes, the Humbugs took the lead after Ager's free-kick was turned home at the back post by Cansdale.

Stansted started the second half well but Halstead weathered the storm and the impressive Frodsham almost cut through the visitors back line but sliced his effort.

Turner superbly tipped over Cansdale's fierce effort but Stansted equalised on 66 minutes when the hosts conceded possession and Locke played in George O’Conner, who tapped into an empty net.

An inspired substitution by Halstead on 80 minutes saw them restore their lead.

Within minutes of coming on, Alfie Lambert latched onto another superb Simon-Parson ball over the top and coolly lobbed the advancing keeper from 35 yards.

However, the advantage lasted less than two minutes as again Halstead failed to clear their lines and Davidson bagged his second of the match, to make it 3-3.

Both sides went for victory, in the final five minutes.

Cansdale fired over the top when he should have done better while at the other end, Locke tricked his way past defenders but his effort was turned away for a corner.

Lambert was denied a penalty again when he appeared to be clearly pushed in the back in the visitors box and Ager's thunderous effort flew just over and the game looked like it would end all square.

But when Jamie Everliegh won possession on the left, he beat a string of defenders before firing into the right-hand corner of the net to secure Halstead their first victory of the season.