HALSTEAD Town were left frustrated after their Thurlow Nunn League first division south clash with Holland FC was abandoned due to a floodlight failure, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The Thurlow Nunn League first division south game at Milbank Stadium was poised at 1-1 but finished in darkness after the floodlights failed after 86 minutes and the game has to be abandoned. It was a disappointing end to a match which was played with spirit and energy, in atrocious conditions.

Halstead came into this game on the back of an awful midweek performance and humiliating 8-0 defeat to Ipswich Wanderers.

They knew would need to perform significantly better if they were to complete a season’s double over mid-table Holland.

Halstead keeper Jack Cherry denied Coyle early on but it was Halstead who drew first blood.

Poku was too strong for Kingston, breaking through the keeper's attempt to smother the ball and placing in the back of the net.

Mahon almost equalised for Holland when he fired just wide and within minutes, he drew the visitors back on terms.

He fired home from the edge of the area when given too much space, all this with just ten minutes on the clock.

On 25 minutes Holland should have taken the lead as Coyle got free from a corner, but his effort went over the bar.

And soon after, Halstead were again lucky not to concede when the ball was swung in and just evaded the back post.

Halstead had a better period leading up to the half-time and a strong cross was headed back across goal by Palmer but Hampson was unable to reach and send goalwards.

The Humbugs almost played themselves into trouble early in the second half, but Miller retrieved the position with a fantastic recovery challenge.

At the other end, Poku nearly got in at the back post but Kingston snaffled the ball just in time.

Holland then had the best chance of the second half but fired into the side netting when they should have scored.

The ever-dangerous Poku fires across the face of goal with nobody able to apply the finishing touch while at the other end, Holland's Ellis-Hall volleyed just wide.

Halstead then had a big shout for a penalty as Kingston failed to clear and Cleal seemed to be hauled down, but referee gave nothing. Palmer and Poku then fail to get a strike away when well placed in the box.

Halstead were very much on front foot and when Cleal fed Poku he got the wrong side of the defence and his cross found Hampson who took ball down, but Kingston was out quickly to block.

Poku and Hampson again combined, with the latter denied by a great recovery defensive challenge.

Cherry made a good save at his near post before the lights went out and the game was abandoned.

Halstead: Cherry, Tracey, Strong, Miller, Schelvis, Baker, Cleal, Dallinger, O’Sullivan , Palmer, Poku, Hampson. Subs: Dallinger, Brand-Barker.