ELY City s season finished on a disappointing note as they narrowly lost out 4-3 in a thrilling match at Needham Market. In a tussle that ebbed and flowed throughout, Ely battled admirably but found themselves undone in the last 15 minutes when two quick

ELY City's season finished on a disappointing note as they narrowly lost out 4-3 in a thrilling match at Needham Market.

In a tussle that ebbed and flowed throughout, Ely battled admirably but found themselves undone in the last 15 minutes when two quick goals finally break their hearty resistance.

Boss Trevor Munns, said: "The lads played really well and I think deserved something from the game bearing in mind that we were still without a number of important players."

A sluggish start saw the visitors go a goal down early on as Craig Parker smashed home. Roused by the setback, Ely poured forward and Andy Pettit, in the unfamiliar role of centre-midfielder, had one of his best games of the season, hauling Ely into an unlikely lead with two show-stopping volleys from in excess of 25 yards.

Moments short of the break Market levelled again as Danny Phillips struck home but Ely continued to impress and regained their lead not long after play resumed as Richard Chadwick capped what has been a strong season for him with a well taken goal.

With less than a quarter of the game to go Ely looked a good bet for the win but they were pegged back by Tommy Smith who drew the home side level. With minutes to go Needham struck again and took all three points as Danny Smy netted.

The loss, Ely's fourth in five games, sees them finish their debut season in the Ridgeons Premier in 14th place, nine points clear of the two sides to go down, Harwich and Haverhill.