AN inspired second half comeback from Ely City saw them snatch a point against strugglers Debenham LC on Saturday.

Ely City 3

Debenham LC 3

AN inspired second half comeback from Ely City saw them snatch a point against strugglers Debenham LC on Saturday.

Alan Alsop’s men were three down after 30 woeful minutes but produced some stunning football in the second half to draw level and were ultimately denied an injury time winner by the woodwork.

The draw leaves the Robins in 16th place ahead of their trip to Brantham Athletic on Saturday.

Despite a solid start by Ely they found themselves a goal down against the run of play as Debenham’s Jamie Cole found himself in acres of space in the box and chipped past an exposed Lee Pacey.

Nick Impey led Ely’s fightback and was unlucky to see his shot fire into the side netting before Cole doubled the visitors’ lead after the home defence parted to allow him to waltz through and fire home.

The points were seemingly sealed less than two minutes later as Cole poked home from just five yards after keeper Pacey could only parry a shot into his path.

Despite starring into the abyss, Ely carried on regardless and continued to play some eye-catching football, Adam Dalby forcing a good save from a free-kick before Adam Murray saw his header clawed off the line by the visiting keeper.

With just a minute to go in the first half, Ely seized a crucial foothold in the game as striker Andy Pettit smashed home from six yards amid a goal-mouth scramble.

The goal gave Ely all the momentum going into the break and they emerged for the second half energized and vigorous. Less than eight minutes were on the clock when Pettit grabbed Ely’s second goal, the striker reacting first to a parried shot after Nick Impey’s run.

Debenham had two good chances to move 4-2 ahead in the ensuing minutes but were wasteful under pressure and with 65 minutes gone they were made to pay as James Wallis caught the Debenham keeper napping with a curled shot from 30 yards to draw level.

The goal sparked jubilant scenes among players and fans alike, and Ely restarted the match sensing victory. Pettit again came close with 10 minutes to go but the Robins best chance fell to substitute Dave Smith who looped a header over the goalkeeper from 10 yards only to see his goalbound effort cannon agonisingly off the bar.