WIVENHOE Town's trip to Long Melford saw the Dragons unable to take the chance to move off the foot of the Thurlow Nunn League premier division standings as they were beaten 3-1.

In wet and cold conditions, the Dragons were unable to take advantage of the chances they created in the second half to overturn a half-time deficit.

Lewis Haughton had given Melford the lead before that was doubled from a Scott Sloots free-kick, although Wivenhoe's Garry Burdett headed in from a free-kick at the other end to halve the arrears before the break.

Wivenhoe knew the next goal would prove crucial and they had chances to add to their tally in the second half but a second of the game for Haughton took the hosts further clear as the Dragons lost a third game in a row.

While the wet weather wasn't enough to cause a disruption at Long Melford, it was at FC CLACTON as the rain on Friday afternoon and evening left the Rush Green Bowl waterlogged and postponed their fixture against COGGESHALL TOWN.

There was no problem for BRANTHAM ATHLETIC the following day, though, and the Imps were glad to end a five-game losing run in the premier division as they drew 0-0 with visiting Wroxham.

In division one, the wet weather also made it difficult at HALSTEAD TOWN but the Humbugs were able to get their home game on against BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES and the two teams served up a thriller for the large crowd at the Milbank Stadium.

Previous games between the two sides had been tight and enthralling and this proved no different, but it was a young Braintree side - whose average age was just 19 - that held the edge over their local rivals with a 4-2 win.

Halstead made the better start and saw early chances for Charlie Pleace, Chris Harris, Kane Gilbert and Jake Brown, but it was only a Lewis Cunliffe goal that they had to show for their efforts.

That came back to haunt them in the minutes before half-time as first an own goal by Cunliffe and then a Mark Dallinger strike sent the Young Irons in ahead at the break.

Cunliffe levelled matters from the penalty spot after the restart after a foul on Pleace, but it was Braintree who edged clear in the latter stages.

First, Jamie Bennett turned in a free-kick to regain the lead, before Halstead had Jordan Hutchings sent off for a mis-timed foul and the points were wrapped up when Joe Jones sent a diving header into the back of the net.

Elsewhere in division one, HOLLAND FC were beaten 1-0 at home by Norwich United Reserves.