Ely City 1 Wroxham 2

THE battle for the league took another dramatic twist on Tuesday night as an injury-time goal handed Wroxham a crucial win at Ely.

Josh Bridgeman struck to pull league-leaders Ely level midway through the second half only for the visitors to steal all three points late on with a header.

The win moves Wroxham to within two points of Ely at the top of the Ridgeons Premier League, with the Norfolk side holding two games in hand over the Robins.

It was Ely who made most of the running in the early stages of the first half, Ben Lawrence and Austen Diaper both squandering headed opportunities in the opening 10 minutes.

Richard Chadwick saw his shot from 10 yards well saved by the Wroxham keeper before Luke Parkinson fired over the bar on the half-volley from the edge of the box.

After a blistering opening 20 minutes, Ely’s pace dropped and Wroxham finally found their feet, enjoying longer spells in possession.

Crucially, the visitors spell on top was capped with a goal, Andy Eastaugh smashing home a penalty after a rash tackle felled Ben Thompson in the box.

In the final minutes of the half, Chadwick presented strike partner Diaper with a golden opportunity to pull Ely level, only for the frontman to miss his kick from eight yards following a low cross.

The pace of the match slowed markedly after the break but, just after the hour mark, Ely restored parity through Josh Bridgeman, the midfielder bundling home Luke Parkinson’s dinked cross.

The game become decidedly tense after the equaliser and there was scarcely a chance for either side before Gavin Lemmon stole a march at a corner to nod past Pacey in the 93rd minute.