Dramatic Late Winner for Ely City

A DRAMATIC late winner for Ely City secured them a much needed 2-1 win over high-flyers Dereham Town on Tuesday night.

A Dean Blackman header four minutes into injury time sent the home crowd into raptures as The Robins picked up their first win in five league games.

Club secretary Derek Oakey said, "This was a good result for the team after a bad run of luck in the last few games.

"This win and the nature of it will put us in a good mood for the next game and will hopefully bring some confidence back to the side."

The game started ominously for the Robins as the visitors spurned a number of good chances to score. 'Keeper Lee Pacey was more than up to the task though, and kept the scores level with a string of fine saves.

Having held off the Dereham attacks, Ely managed to forge some chances of their own and a cute chip from Dale Archer after 32 minutes gave the home side an unlikely lead.

Thereafter the game was deadlocked with both sides getting bogged down somewhat in gruelling midfield battles. When hostilities resumed after the break the play took much the same pattern until a moment of controversy saw Dereham pull level.

The incident came after 52 minutes when Robins' Jamie Alsop crumpled to the floor with a suspected torn hamstring. It is normal practice, although not compulsory, to put the ball out while the player receives treatment but no such courtesy was afforded Denis Lightning's side as Dereham streaked up field to net an equaliser.

The subsequent furore served to galvanise Ely, however, and they forged ahead in search of a winner. Their endeavour finally paid off - ironically - deep into injury time afforded to them from Alsop's injury.

Dean Blackman headed home from close range to secure all three points for Ely and move them up to 13th place.