TAKELEY came very close to wrapping up another crucial three points in their fight for Essex Senior League survival but were halted by a dogged Mauritius side.

Takeley 1 Mauritius SA 1

TAKELEY came very close to wrapping up another crucial three points in their fight for Essex Senior League survival but were halted by a dogged Mauritius side.

Overall a draw was a fair result after an entertaining afternoon in which both sides looked like they lacked confidence from the start.

However, the hosts managed to get into their stride first and proved that 13 is not an unlucky for everyone as, with that number on the clock, Lewis Baker whipped in a cross for Michael Kennedy to slide into the bottom corner.

Kennedy was in action again four minutes later. Ashley Conlon drove in a corner but Kennedy drilled his shot straight into the arms of Aaron Tilbrook, the Mauritius keeper.

At the opposite end Andrew Pulsell could have evened the score, but lacked power and Phil Carpenter, the Takeley keeper, was able to scramble the ball away safely.

In the 35th minute full back Harrison Teage suffered a severe twisted knee, his replacement James Whitbread came on to bolster mid field, Michael Kennedy dropping back.

Right on half time the hosts conceded an unlikely equaliser. The ever dangerous Anton Kostales took advantage of a Takeley defensive mix up to beat Phil Carpenter, with a well taken strike.

In the second half, Kostales maintained a constant threat but Takeley found chances through Baker and Whitbread and James Amott had the best one with a minute to go but held his head in shame after popping a two yard opportunity wide.

The 88-strong crowd went home happy, and Takeley are starting to look like a team who believe they can finish out of the bottom two in the Essex Senior League.

Next: Takeley host rivals Sawbridgeworth on Saturday at 3pm and host Southend Manor on Tuesday night at 7.45pm.