ELY City were forced to settle for a point against Wivenhoe on Saturday after squandering the lead on three occasions.

Ely City 3

Wivenhoe Town 3

ELY City were forced to settle for a point against Wivenhoe on Saturday after squandering the lead on three occasions.

Some sublime passages of play from the Robins time and again saw them cut the visitors to ribbons but they were unable to shake off a dogged Wivenhoe side who made the most their opportunities to come away with a hard-earned point.

The draw keeps Alan Alsop’s men in 16th place with a trip to Debenham LC on Saturday their next task.

Ely were quick out of the traps against their high-flying opponents and took control of the midfield as Wivenhoe slumbered.

Front-man Andy Pettit was lively in attack for the Robins and he had the first real chance after three minutes when he was sent clear on goal from midfield. Unfortunately for the hosts however, Pettit slammed his effort straight into the grateful arms of Wivenhoe’s goalkeeper.

Pettit made amends less than 10 minutes later though, as he poked home from close range. Ely continued to dominate in the ensuing minutes but it was the visitors who would strike next as a long range effort was rifled past keeper Lee Pacey.

Undeterred, Ely continued to pile on the pressure and Pettit moved Ely back into the lead after the half-hour mark following another excellent move involving wide-man Nick Impey and Robbie Mason.

Ely looked to kick on in the aftermath of the goal but once again their lead was short-lived as Wivenhoe stole away on the break to level.

Though appearing vulnerable in defence, Ely’s attacking endeavour remained undiminished and they pulled ahead once more minutes short of the break as Mason smashed home.

Ely came within inches of adding a fourth before the break only for the crossbar to deny defender Ben Lawrence from a corner.

After a frantic opening 45 minutes that yielded five goals, the second half was destined to be a more sedate affair and so it proved as both sides struggled to find any fluency.

Andy Pettit came closest to scoring for Ely but his effort ballooned over the bar from close range after a decent cross. Wivenhoe had the final say less than 10 minutes from time as Wivenhoe scrambled home amid a melee in the Ely goal-mouth.