Halstead Town 1 Saffron Walden Town 0 SAFFRON Walden Town FC s penultimate game of the season ended in a 1-0 defeat against Halstead Town on Tuesday. A number of injuries to first-team players meant that the Bloods had to rely on the depth of the

Halstead Town 1

Saffron Walden Town 0

SAFFRON Walden Town FC's penultimate game of the season ended in a 1-0 defeat against Halstead Town on Tuesday.

A number of injuries to first-team players meant that the Bloods had to rely on the depth of their squad in the competitive Ridgeons League First Division clash at Rosemary Lane.

Reserve team regulars Daniel Debley and Stefan Wisnienski formed the central defensive partnership with Dan Hammett playing just in front.

Assistant manager John Butchart said: "We were down to the bare bones, but I think Debley and Wisnienski did a good job and kept Halstead quiet for most of the match.

"Ronnie Yates was back between the sticks and looked commanding - he didn't have a chance with the goal which was like a bullet shot."

Seb Murfet's 46th minute strike gave all three points to Halstead and was revenge for their 3-0 drubbing by the Bloods earlier in the season.

"Spike Bell was unlucky not to score towards the end of the game and I think we deserved a draw," said Butchart. "It was quite a competitive game with a few elbows flying in and I think Halstead picked up a few bookings.

"Overall I was pleased with the way we played and the effort that all the lads put in. Hopefully we can go on now and win the final game of the season."

- Saffron Walden threw a spanner in the works of Brantham Athletic's promotion chances by holding them to a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

Two goals from Spike Bell at Catons Lane ensured that the Ridgeons League First Division points were shared equally.

Alex Riches, Jamie Solkhon and Peter Flack put in an impressive display at the heart of the Walden Wall to deny the league's top scorers on a number of occasions.

Brantham were first to draw blood on the half-hour mark when Oliver Mann set up his strike partner David Grinwood to fire in the opener on 29 minutes.

In the second half of this end-to-end match, Graeme Turner came close to scoring with a shot which rattled the post, but it was Bell who hit the equaliser from the narrowest of angles after 51 minutes.

Brantham's Sean Gunn put the visitors back into the lead when he fired in after a corner on 59 minutes.

However, the promotion favourites' celebrations were cut short in the closing minutes of the game when the referee called a hand ball in the area and Bell buried the penalty.

Saffron Walden's last league game of the season is away to Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday.