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.