A VIRTUOSO goal from Richard Chadwick earned Ely all three points against Clacton on Saturday, despite floodlight failure throwing the result into doubt with just seconds to go.

Ely City 1

FC Clacton 0

A VIRTUOSO goal from Richard Chadwick earned Ely all three points against Clacton on Saturday, despite floodlight failure throwing the result into doubt with just seconds to go.

An intricate turn and hit from Chadwick give Ely the lead with two minutes of normal time remaining but, with the three points seemingly secured, all four floodlights at Ely’s Unwin Ground failed, plunging the players into darkness.

Much to the home crowd’s relief, some frantic repair work from club officials saw power restored within 10 minutes, leaving Ely with just moments to survive until the final whistle.

The win lifts Alan Alsop’s Robins up into 15th place ahead of their clash with promotion chasers Leiston on Saturday.

Frontman Chadwick had the goal at his mercy with just two minutes gone but, after latching on to a Dave Smith through ball, he flashed his shot harmlessly across goal and wide.

Michael Ebanks-Blake when closer still after 10 minutes when he went through one-on-one with the Clacton keeper, only for his angled shot to be denied by the keeper’s outstretched arm.

Clacton swiftly re-organised after the early barrage and they began to make life difficult for the home side, reducing them to half-chances and shots from range in the run up to half time.

The undoubted chance of the half came in stoppage time as Clacton were awarded a penalty in a rare foray into the Ely box.

Fortunately for the home side however, the Seasiders Ray Turner sprayed the spot kick wide of Lee Pacey’s right hand post.

Clacton continued to frustrate Ely in the early stages of the second half, and Ebanks-Blake had supporters’ heads-in-hands once more in the 65th minute as he saw another one-on-one attempt comfortably saved. Substitute Chris Sterecki also had a poked shot from 10 yards well saved as Ely continued to build pressure.

The breakthrough came with less than 10 minutes remaining as Chadwick latched onto a Sam Parkinson cross, turned his marker and slotted home.

Substitute Andy Pettit should have made the points safe deep into injury time but his shot from eight-yards sailed clear over the bar with the goal at his mercy.