Jake Noble (7) and James Abbott were impressive for Saffron Walden against Debenham LC on Saturday.

THE Bloods now boast a six game unbeaten streak after beating Debenham away from home, but it was not a convincing performance.

Goals from James Abbott and substitute Steve Leys either side of half time gave Walden their fifth win of the season, keeping them in second place behind Cambridge University Press in the Thurlow Nunn League Division One.

Boss Colin Wallington said his side did not reach the lofty standards the team sets, but said his team are proving tough to break down.

“We are hard to beat because we are organised at the back and the lads play for one another,” he said.

“We didn’t play well but we came away with the win and at the end of the season these are the games we will look back and say we weren’t great but we got three points.

“We will have to get a few away wins to put pressure on everyone else so I’m happy with that but we have to be better next week against Haverhill.”

In the searing hear, Walden started the game stronger as Abbott, Lee Owen and Jake Noble bossed the midfield. But it was Debenham’s James Heathcote who had the first chance but the striker blazed over the bar.

The game descended into a midfield battle until the 44th minute when Abbott notched his second goal of the season. Owen took a quick free kick, curling the ball towards the back post where Abbott headed home.

The lead could have been doubled but Brad Green couldn’t convert James Crane’s cross as the first half came to an end.

Walden came out reinvigorated in the second half and the Hornets’ struggled to keep pace with the visitors. Abbott nearly scored his second goal only to see his shot hit the bar before Lee Owen was denied twice.

Green was replaced by Leys who asked questions of Debenham’s defence immediately, and was unlucky not to score.

Stuart Wardley almost gifted Debenham an equaliser but Paul Wood saved from close range to retain Walden’s slender lead.

The points were secured in the second minute of injury time as Leys, Owen and Crane linked up before the striker netted from close range.