Ely City manager Brady Stone says his side have ‘nothing to lose’ ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Wivenhoe Town after the Robins soared to a third win in a row against King’s Lynn Reserves.

The Robins began 2016 as they ended 2015 - with a 1-0 win - courtesy of wonder goal from midfielder Craig Neal.

Neal struck the game’s decisive goal in the 35th minute when, with his back to goal, the former Soham United man chested the ball up and on the turn smashed a right-footed volley into the top corner.

The strike sealed all three points for the Robins, and boss Brady Stone was quick to praise the midfielder man’s sumptuous strike.

He said: “It was a fantastic goal from Craig. He took the ball on his chest, turned and hit the ball on the full with his weak foot, so it was pretty special.”

The Robins’ defence also gained the plaudits from Stone after keeping their third consecutive clean sheet - a feat achieved for the first time since 2010.

“We look solid at the moment,” said Stone. “I don’t think we’ve kept three clean sheets in a row for something like five years, so I’m delighted.”

The Robins’ defensive solidarity will be put to the test on Saturday afternoon, when they welcome league leaders Wivenhoe Town to the Unwin Ground (3pm).

The Essex side are unbeatean in the league so far this season, and have an 11-point lead over second-placed Ely, but Stone says his men aren’t feeling the pressure ahead of their clash with the Dragons.

He said: “We’ve got nothing to lose. No-one else has beaten them this season and we’ll have the freedom to play so we’ll go in and see if we can get the three points.”