Stanway's promotion hopes from Jewson League division one took a major dent as they went down 2-1 at Ely.

It was an unfortunate result for Phil Bloss's team who conceded two late goals after being in the ascendency for 80 minutes of the match.

Andy Sapey gave Stanway a 20th minute lead but the two goals - one after the controversial intervention of a linesman, gave Ely an undeserved win.

Bloss said: "We are gutted. It was no contest for 80 minutes but we defended two free-kicks badly.

"But the top sides still have to play each other and we are still in there."

Stanway fall to fifth and are now relying on slip ups from Tiptree, Downham and Ely if they are to achieve their promotion dream.

Harwich, who could have been handed a premier division reprieve with the withdrawal of Watton, were already on the back foot when they arrived at Diss with the absence of keeper Arron King through injury. But stand-in Aaron Straight did an excellent job making a number of great saves, although it wasn't enough as the visitors fell to a 2-0 defeat.

Two first half Mattie Wright goals gave Diss the advantage- and despite Robbie Newman going close on a couple of occasions in the second half, Harwich couldn't find their way through.

Manager Tony Hall said: "Our passing and effort in the first half let us down. Every time we passed the ball we seemed to give it to the opposition.

"We improved both the effort and passing in the second half and if we had played like that from the beginning then we may have got something from the game."

In the East Anglian Cup quarter-final, Halstead went down 4-0 to Ryman League division three leaders Great Wakering.

Two goals in each half sealed Halstead's fate - Wakering now travel to Harlow in the semi-final.

In the Tolleshunt D'Arcy cup, Maldon beat Tiptree 2-1 after extra-time.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.