Former Harwich and Parkeston striker Matt Carmichael heaped more misery on his old club by scoring a brace in Halstead Town's 2-0 victory.

Defeat means the Shrimpers remain second-from-bottom in the Ridgeons League premier division and have yet to pick up any points since their opening-day win against Wisbech in August.

Carmichael's brace, however, was his second of the season against his old team-mates after he notched a double in their 4-0 win at The Royal Oak in the reverse fixture last month.

It also witnessed a return to winning ways for Andy Clark's men who had drawn three and lost one of their last four league matches.

After a goalless first half, Carmichael broke the deadlock just before the hour-mark when he drilled home a low right-foot effort which beat Harwich keeper Danny Morrin at his left-hand post.

And after the Shrimpers had lost possession from an attacking throw-in, a quick break by the hosts saw Gino Defeo's perfectly-placed centre easily despatched from six yards by Carmichael.

Clark was delighted with the resilence shown by his players.

He said: "We worked really hard last night. We were patient and it was a pleasing performance."

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Published Wednesday, October 5, 2005

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