LITTLE Oakley lost 3-2 at Halstead Town in the Essex Senior League, writes LARRY DOBKIN.

Goals from Dan Rowe and Darren Mills were not enough to save the Acorns from defeat.

Town were on the attack from the first minute, with an early chance was cleared by Jack Holbrook for a corner.

The set-piece was met by Matt Travell, but his header went over the bar.

Oakley then pressed forward and George Davis's long throw was well flicked on by Lewis Wood to Ladbrook, whose shot was well saved by keeper Jack Cherry.

While lots of effort was being shown by both sides, the game was a little disjointed with neither team getting a clear chance on goal.

This changed in the 31st minute though when a low cross into the Oakley area was toe poked past Billy Lawlor by James Eveleigh, who put the Humbugs ahead.

Oakley then had some good interchanging passing in midfield but the Town defence seemed to hold firm.

They cleared the ball to the left-hand touchline 35 yards from goal where Dan Rowe chanced his arm and struck an unstoppable dipping shot over Cherry and into the corner, to equalise.

The second half saw both teams battling for possession in the middle of the park, with neither team able to get a meaningful shot on target.

Halstead regained their lead when a speculative cross into the Oakley area saw Davis put in a firm challenge on Clifford who appealed for a penalty.

The referee waved play on but the ball was deflected to Owen Betts whose shot was saved by Lawlor.

However, the referee pulled play back for the foul and awarded a penalty, which Dean Ager converted.

Oakley then had a good period of play, resulting in a long ball upfield which saw substitute Noah Asterlind break behind the Town defence.

He beat Cherry to the ball and lifted a delicate chip over the keeper’s head but the ball hit a post.

Like all good strikers, Darren Mills was following up and had an easy tap-in to equalise.

Oakley had done well to come back on two occasions but were now dropping deep and finding it hard to get out of their own half.

They lost the ball deep in the Halstead half and a long ball upfield was met by Owen Betts.

He got to the ball before Wood and ran towards goal before placing a shot under Lawlor's body, for what proved to be Halstead's winner.

Oakley player of the match was Dan Rowe who chipped in with a world-class strike.