Ely City boss Brady Stone was pleased to see his side fight back from a goal down to take a point at Long Melford last Saturday.

The Robins travelled to an in-form Melford side who had won their last four games and found themselves a goal down after just four minutes.

But, after a dressing down at half time and a three second-half changes, Matty Simpson’s well-taken strike after 70 minutes secured an important point for Stone’s men.

“It was definitely a game of two halves,” the Ely boss admitted.

“We weren’t at our best in the first half and Melford wanted it more. We were on our heels but we had a good chat at half time and came out a different side.

“We were much better from then on and I think a draw was a fair result.”

Stone also believes that the Suffolk outfit were lucky to finish the game with 11 men after Sam Reed was brought down when clean through in the first half and winger Kelvin Enaro was hauled down in the box late in the second.

“Sam was brought down and was given a yellow which, for me, was a red and then in the second half the lad has taken Kelvin down in the penalty area but the ref has booked him for diving.

“I spoke to some of the Melford fans after the game and they said it should have been a penalty but the ref stuck by his decision and we got a good point in the end.”

The Robins, who sit in 15th in the standings, host high-flying Gorleston this weekend and Stone is under no illusions as to the challenge that awaits his men.

The Norfolk side are currently fourth but have five games in hand over leaders Mildenhall Town and can leapfrog them if they take maximum points.

“If we can win two or three in a row we can move towards the top half but if we lose them then we can be sent back down towards 17th or 18th, so it proves that every point we gain is still crucial,” Stone said.

“Gorleston are flying at the minute and we know it will be a tough game.”