HALSTEAD TOWN fought back from behind before pulling off a thrilling 3-2 victory at home to Stowmarket Town.

Mark Benterman’s side started the day fourth in the Thurlow Nunn League first division table and five points behind third-placed Great Yarmouth Town.

And after fighting back from behind, they gave their promotion chances a major boost at Rosemary Lane.

Stowmarket took the lead just after the half-hour mark after capitalising on a miss-placed pass in midfield.

Halstead then suffered another major blow just before half-time, following a red card for Sam Cripps.

The striker was booked and then, after continuing his protests to the referee, shown a second yellow.

Stowmarket added their second on the hour mark, against the run of play, but the hosts threw themselves a lifeline after James Murray pounced to make it 2-1.

Jordan Hutchings made it all-square ten minutes from time after the visitors’ keeper could only parry Joe O’Hare’s header.

O’Hare himself then grabbed a dramatic winner, finding himself through on goal and seeing his low shot squirm past the Stowmarket keeper.

Elsewhere in the first division, BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES lost 2-1 at Downham Town.

Title-chasing WIVENHOE TOWN were left inactive following the postponement of their match at King’s Lynn Reserves.

Mo Osman’s men have already sealed a top-three promotion spot and look odds-on for the championship.

However, the wet weather put paid to the chances of adding to their points tally on Saturday.

They now face a long midweek trip.

FC CLACTON made an early decision to call off their home match against Thetford Town.

The premier division contest was postponed on Friday night due to the waterlogged state of the Rush Green Bowl pitch.

It will now be played next Tuesday instead – the Seasiders’ penultimate game of the season, before finishing with a home match against Gorleston on April 30.

STANWAY ROVERS had been due to entertain Hadleigh United.

However, the match was called off on Saturday morning.

The same fate befell BRANTHAM ATHLETIC, who were due to travel to high-flying Godmanchester Rovers.

It means Paul Skingley’s side face an unenviable long midweek trip to Cambridgeshire.