Halstead Town manager Mark Benterman felt the loss of defender Nico Farthing to a shoulder injury was a defining moment in their 1-1 draw against AFC Sudbury Reserves.
Striker Jonah Gosling who put them ahead in their Thurlow Nunn League division clash, with a goal in the fifth minute and the Humbugs held on to that advantage until half-time.
However, an equaliser came in the 56th minute as the clash ended with honours even between the local rivals.
Benterman said: “Sudbury came to us with a strong squad and we had to be good, but I felt we completely controlled the early part of the game.
“Jonah got us the early goal, but the game-changer was Nico Farthing having to go off on 35 minutes because of a dislocated shoulder.
“He’s a big player for us, who puts himself into challenges and heads the ball clear, so to lose him was a big blow.
“Jonah had put us ahead with a well-taken goal and we looked solid, but losing Nico like we did really knocked the wind out of our sails."
Elsewhere in division one, Braintree Town Reseves lost 3-1 at Long Melford.
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