A DRAMATIC injury time goal handed Ely City a season-opening win against Clacton on Saturday.

Midfielder Josh Bridgeman found himself in the right place at the right time with just seconds left in the game to deflect home a shot driven into the crowded penalty area.

The win moves Ely in amongst the Ridgeons Premier League leaders, ahead of their clash with promotion hopefuls Dereham on Tuesday.

The Robins were missing a number of first team regulars for the match, but looked decidedly unperturbed during the first half as they took control of the game.

Frontman Richard Chadwick was lively and created a number of good chances to open the scoring, only for errant finishing to scupper his hopes.

Clacton were vastly improved in the second half and laid siege to the Ely goal for much of the early stages of the half.

Ely came good in the last 15 minutes however, and looked the more likely to take the win. Two lengthy injuries during the half, including one to centre-back Adam Murray, who was briefly knocked out cold in a clash of heads, brought 10 minutes of injury time.

Brian Liston-Clarke coming closest moments before the goal when he headed against the post from six yards.

Liston-Clarke’s error was almost immediately forgiven though, as Bridgeman deflected home to hand Ely the win.