HALSTEAD Town suffered a 4-2 defeat at home to Saffron Walden, in their Boxing Day duel at Rosemary Lane.
The Thurlow Nunn League division one contest went ahead after an early-morning pitch inspection.
But it turned out to be a disappointing day for the hosts, who suffered a rare defeat.
The Humbugs drew first blood in an eventful, goal-laden first half, thanks to a great individual goal from James Regan.
He muscled his way through Walden’s defence before slotting home for 1-0.
The visitors then levelled with a headed goal but Halstead edged back in front, thanks to a route one effort finished off by Jordan Hutchings.
However, Walden equalised again and then went in front from a penalty, converted from the last kick of the first half.
The second period failed to live up to the drama of the first, with the only goal being a fourth for Walden, netted on 65 minutes.
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