LITTLE Oakley struck late to claim a 3-2 win at White Ensign in the Essex Senior League, writes LARRY DOBKIN.

Ed Nobbs, playing the final match of his Acorns career, was captain for the day.

Ensign started well and in the first move of the game saw a long-range shot go over the bar.

Oakley then structured a neat passing move which ended with Mann's putting Rowe in on goal with a one on one with the keeper.

Rowe got his shot on target but Joe Whitney made a fine save, to keep the score level.

Robbie Allan's well-struck volley for Ensign flew over but Oakley started to get the better possession.

Lawlor's long ball found the tricky Luck Hipkin who ran at the defender and delivered a dangerous cross into Rowe, but good defending got the ball out for a corner.

Oakley went ahead 11 minutes before the break when Adie Cant's free-kick to the far post saw Mann rise high above the Ensign defence and power a bullet-like header past the keeper.

It was almost 2-0 when Harman's blistering run and cross found Mann whose run got him in front of the Ensign defence, only to see his flick go the wrong side of a post.

But in first-half stoppage-time, Reid's speculative punt upfield saw Rowe beat two defenders for pace and place the ball past the oncoming Whitney.

Oakley went into the second half in control and almost scored after the break when Mann's lively turn forced keeper Whitley into an excellent save.

Mechack Asuka volleyed a decent chance over for Ensign, who then pulled a goal back in controversial circumstances.

Harman was accidentally kicked in the face and fell to the floor with an head injury, following a corner.

Strangely the referee allowed play to continue with Harman prostrate and Ethan Evison's overhead kick looped over Lawlor and in.

Ensign were now on top but despite several half chances, were unable to capitalise on them until the 88th minute when Evison scored from the spot, after Lawlor was adjudged to have fouled Kurt Smith in the area.

But with time running out, the pacy Jordie Papple bent the ball around the keeper from Mann's flick header, to win it for the Acorns.

Oakley's player of the match was Luke Hipkin, who is getting used to the team and looking dangerous.