A LATE strike from Robbie Mason handed Ely their first league win for more than a month on Saturday.

Hadleigh United 1

Ely City 2

A LATE strike from Robbie Mason handed Ely their first league win for more than a month on Saturday.

Mason fired home with less than 15 minutes to go to gift the Robins a valuable three points, their first since beating Stanway at the Unwin Ground in August.

The win moves Alan Alsop’s men up into 12th place in the Ridgeons Premier League ahead of their clash with Fulbourn Institute on Wednesday in the Cambs Invitation Cup.

The home side moved into the lead with seconds to spare in the first half through Ben Deacon. The Robins replied a minute shy of the hour-mark when midfielder Dave Smith nodded home from close range.

Inspired by their equaliser, Alsop’s charges continued to push and were rewarded with 75 minutes gone as Mason popped up at the back-post to smash home a flighted cross.

Smith could have added to his tally in the closing stages but his penalty was well saved after a United defender handled in the area.