So near yet so far!

A good performance by Long Melford and a share of the spoils would have been deserved.

Overall there was little to choose between the teams, with the game fluctuating from end to end.

After ten minutes a mercurial run by Ben Judge saw his resultant shot just clear the goal post.

At the other end a misdirected Melford pass ended at the feet of Rob Turner and his shot hit the Melford goal side netting.

Melford then had two good shooting opportunities but Ben Judge and Hassan Ally found the arms of keeper Elliott Pride.

A blow for Melford just before half time when the influential Ben Judge hobbled off to be replaced by Harry Brown.

The second half replicated the first period with Melford finding chances and Harleston replicating at the other end.

Two thirds through the second half the home team applied pressure and three great saves from Melford keeper Matt Walker, in quick succession from Asa McGeachy and Ryan Crisp kept Melford in the game.

The killer goal came after 84 minutes when a shot from McGeachy saw keeper Walker dive and grasp the ball, but the ball was stolen from his grasp by the boot of ED TYAS to find the back of the Melford net.

The assistant referee raised his flag and then took it down, for some it seemed offside was involved and others were not sure that the ball was legitimately taken from the grasp of keeper Walker.  But anyway the referee waved his arm to the centre spot and deemed the goal should stand.

Good job Dave Hennessey is the Melford Manager and not Donald Trump, as there would have been some severe ramifications arising from that crucial decision! CHENOBERET

LONG MELFORD: Walker, O Judge, Wingfield, Collins, B Judge, Jackson, Dende, Whiting-Noakes, J Brown, Ally, Emeh

Subs used: Utting, H Brown, Newman, Verdades, Birch