Beccles Town 1, Acle United 1LEAGUE leaders Beccles lost their 100 per cent home record but kept their unbeaten run going in this Anglian Combination Premier Division top-five clash last Saturday.

Beccles Town 1, Acle United 1

LEAGUE leaders Beccles lost their 100 per cent home record but kept their unbeaten run going in this Anglian Combination Premier Division top-five clash last Saturday.

The result left the Wherrymen top with 20 points from eight games, followed by North Walsham (20 from 10) and Cromer (19 from 10). But it felt like two points dropped and the draw more like a defeat as Beccles held the lead for much of the game.

The visitors had a man sent off before equalising near the end, leaving Beccles little time for a reply.

Beccles face another extremely difficult game at Cromer, 2.30pm tomorrow.

Beccles took on Acle in front of a larger than expected home crowd despite the counter attraction of Norwich City on ITV. The crowd at half-time had reached over 100.

Beccles picked the fully rested Alan Remblance partnering Ant Martin with the slightly off-colour Scott Barnard dropping to the bench.

He was joined there by Neil Hurren who has returned to the Wherrymen via Blofield and Gorleston. Nick Day, fresh from a holiday, made up the list of substitutes.

Manager Mick Broxup also gave a first start of the season in midfield to Gerald Martin, a reward for his fine substitute appearance and goal against Brandon the previous week.

Acle are always tough opponents and Beccles worked hard in the opening exchanges to wrestle the initiative. The front two in the main were being well shackled by the visitors' rearguard.

There were glimpses of an opening, but with 20 minutes gone neither team had had a direct shot on target.

Then Beccles broke down the left, Woods picked out Maritn's run and he controlled and played in his strike partner Remblance quickly clipped his shot over the keeper but agonisingly against the outside of a post.

Beccles then broke the deadlock with a super goal. Alex Holmes who had seen little of the ball in the opening exchanges, picked it up wide on the right. He fired in a fierce cross/shot which looked to be heading harmlessly wide of the target.

However, Acle had reckoned without top scorer Alan Remblance who arrived inside the penalty area before superbly guiding his bullet volley into the top corner of the net.

The half still had time for Cable to add to a string of sensational diving saves over recent weeks, from a downward header.

The second half was mostly played out in midfield. Lee Shaw yet again at the heart of the Beccles defence was a towering presence and when Acle were reduced to 10 men most people thought that was that.

Acle evidently hadn't read the script. With a man short and one down they then threw caution to the wind and attacked at will. Following a goalmouth scramble Ben Morgan side-footed the equaliser.

This strike, only the fourth league goal the Wherrymen had conceded this season, seemed to take the stuffing out of Beccles, and Acle finished the game the stronger.

Beccles Reserves, following six weeks on the road, play host to Harleston, 2pm kick-off.