Some inspired goalkeeping from Harry Reynolds helped Ely City to their eighth consecutive Thurlow Nunn Division One victory on Saturday - and a step ever closer to promotion.

A solitary Matty Simpson goal - his fourth in as many games - was enough to see the Robins take all three points against a stubborn Woodbridge Town side, but a top-class performance from the Ely stopper grabbed the headlines at the Unwin Ground.

The home side welcomed back skipper James Seymour and Ash Walter to their starting line-up, but found it hard to get going on a boggy pitch that had hosted three games during the week.

The Robins adapted to the difficult playing surface, and took the lead through the in-form Simpson’s deft header after 15 minutes.

Ely pressed for a second and came close through Seymour, Simpson and Alex Theobald, but were forced to go into the break only one goal up.

Woodbridge manager Jamie Scales’ half time team worked wonders for the visitors, as they raced out the blocks in the second period, and tested Reynolds in the Ely goal on a number of occassions - including a stinging drive from Callum Sinclair.

Sensing an equaliser, the Woodpeckers flooded forward, and skipper Seymour made an important block to keep them out in the dying embers of the game.

Reynolds saved his best - and most important - stop until the 94th minute, when he somehow pushed a goal-bound Mark Ray shot onto the crossbar.

Ray’s shot would prove to be the last action of the match, and Ely walked away from the encounter relieved and with another three points under their belts.

Their narrow win takes them onto 68 points - level with Great Yarmouth Town in second - and eight points clear of fourth-placed Halstead Town.

Next up for the Robins is a tough test away to Braintree Town Reserves, who haven’t been beaten at home since December.