Kirkley and Pakefield struck twice in injury time to deny Ely City a point on Saturday.

Ely Standard: Both sides compete for the ball in the air. Picture: HELEN DRAKE.Both sides compete for the ball in the air. Picture: HELEN DRAKE. (Image: Archant)

November had been a horror month for The Robins - they conceded 19 goals and did not find the net in games against

Norwich United, Ipswich Wanderers and Walsham le Willows.

But it was a different Ely side which took to the field at The Unwin Ground. Boosted by four 17 year olds from Histon, they produced a performance full of energy and positive intent against one of the strongest sides in the league.

Goals from debutant Aysa Ourtilbour and Josh Sewell meant Ely looked set for a point.

Ely Standard: An Ely City player looks on as a Kirkley player gets ready to head the ball.An Ely City player looks on as a Kirkley player gets ready to head the ball. (Image: Archant)

But, in the 94th minute, Kirkley produced a sucker punch goal and, in the dying seconds, as the hosts chased an equaliser, bagged a fourth.

Ely manager Brady Stone said: “The way we played on Saturday was fantastic. I’m so proud of the way we responded after three poor results.

“When Josh Sewell scored with five minutes to go I thought we were destined for a point but, in the 94th minute, the ball pops out of our keeper’s hands and their player taps it in.

“We are just not getting that bit of luck. To lose like that, I’m gutted to be fair.”

Stone praised the contribution of the Histon recruits who he said brought out the best in the rest of the squad.

He said: “They gave us more energy and belief and that made the whole team work harder, The workrate and attitude were fantastic and some of the football was brilliant to watch.

“We were playing a very attacking formation, which left us a bit open, but we want to get at teams. It’s the way we are going to play.”

Ely, who are bottom of the Thurlow Nunn League, travel to fifth place Hadleigh United on Saturday. When the sides met in August, Ely lost 3-0.

Stone said: “They are one of the best teams we’ve played this season, but we go there full of confidence.

“Our average age on Saturday was 20 so we are a very young side but we will give it a go.”

Histon loanee Michael King is missing. Otherwise, Stone says Ely will be at “near enough full strength”.