IT was another mixed week for Ely City as they followed up a comfortable victory over Kirkley and Pakefield on Saturday with defeat to league leaders Dereham Town on Tuesday night.

The Robins’ form has been patchy of late but they looked to be finally building some momentum at the weekend as they hit four past struggling Kirkley, while goalkeeper Lee Pacey kept a clean sheet at the other end.

It was back to the drawing board at the Unwin Ground on Tuesday however, as the Robins squandered the lead in an ill-tempered game to lose 2-1.

Darren Coe was given a straight red card after just eight minutes against Dereham following a lunging challenge, with a Dereham striker then also seeing red. As tempers flared, the referee called both teams off the pitch and there was a short delay while order was restored.

When play resumed, it was Ely who moved into the lead, with in-form Adam Murray climbing highest to head home a corner.

The Robins were denied a second shortly after the break as Andrew Claydon’s flicked header was superbly denied by Andy Wilton in the visitors’ goal.

The league leaders found the equaliser just minutes short of the hour-mark as Adam Gusterson headed home a corner and they went on to grab the winner some 20 minutes later as Sam Borrer’s powerful run and drive eluded Lee Pacey in the home goal.

The defeat came just three days after Ely’s excellent second-half showing at Kirkley. After a goalless first 45, the Robins came to life in the second period, Kenny Smith putting the visitors in front in the 55th minute.

Luke Parkinson made it 2-0 minutes later before Dave Wilson added a third. The rout was completed in the 80th minute as Josh Curry stepped up to convert from the penalty spot following a foul on Adam Murray.

Ely sit in 12th place in the Thurlow Nunn League following their weekend’s exploits, with a trip to Norwich United to come on Saturday.