LITTLEPORT took an early exit from the Premier League Cup after losing 4-2 at home to Lakenheath. Three goals in ten frantic minutes saw Dave Cullum s side surrender a hard-fought lead and left them unable to recover as they lost out to a strong Lakenhea

LITTLEPORT took an early exit from the Premier League Cup after losing 4-2 at home to Lakenheath.

Three goals in ten frantic minutes saw Dave Cullum's side surrender a hard-fought lead and left them unable to recover as they lost out to a strong Lakenheath side.

The tie, a replay after Lakenheath fielded an ineligible player in the last encounter, was always going to be an exacting task for Cullum's side who were without Liam Hart, Ben Layn, Rob Foreman, Sean Ambrose and Matt Parry.

The sheer number of absentees became apparent mid-way through the opening half when the visitors broke the deadlock but it wasn't long before 'Port rallied and Carl Ryan - elevated from the reserves - rifled home from 16 yards to restore parity.

'Port kicked on after the break and took the lead courtesy of a Richie Murfitt strike but the goal seemed to sting the visitors into action and three goals in ten minutes proved too much for Cullum's side.

"We cannot afford to have that many players missing against a team like Lakenheath," concluded Cullum afterwards.