AN 89th-minute winner robbed Bungay of a deserved point on Saturday at Norwich United Reserves.They slipped to their third consecutive 2-1 away defeat in Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Division Two.

AN 89th-minute winner robbed Bungay of a deserved point on Saturday at Norwich United Reserves.

They slipped to their third consecutive 2-1 away defeat in Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Division Two.

In an undistinguished game with few goal chances, Bungay defended well after being reduced to 10 men for the final 25 minutes when Paul Hunter was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The Black Dogs can justifiably claim to have had more possession than their opponents even when a player down, but they weren't able to convert this into scoring opportunities, and they were undone by a powerful header from a corner just before the end.

Manager Richard Daniels praised the side's commitment and workrate, but was frustrated that again the quality in the side had not delivered enough chances.

Bungay lined up with a 4-3-3 formation, with James Youngman, preferred to Joe McFarlane, supporting Tom Amiss and Ash Ling up front, and with new signing Paul Hunter in midfield.

The Black Dogs started brightly, with Ash Ling in particular linking up well with the midfield trio of Hunter, Luke Field and Danny Wilby.

In the second minute, Ling's pass gave Youngman a run on goal, but he was crowded out before he could get a shot in. A few minutes later Ling again found Youngman, but his shot was cleared. In the 17th minute, Ling knocked on Mark Harvey's cross to Amiss, but his shot was cleared.

The hosts started to see more of the ball, and they opened the scoring after 28 minutes. Kev Riches gave away a free-kick near the goal-line, and when it was flighted to the far post, poor marking allowed a home player to knock the ball across goal where Michael Townsend banged home the loose ball.

Bungay almost forced an immediate equaliser, Ling latching on to Craig Hunting's long ball, but his shot went just wide. In the 34th minute Jimmy Bligh kept Bungay in the game with a fine save, and a minute later Bungay were level.

Luke Field latched onto a loose ball just inside the area and fired a low shot into the far corner.

The second-half was a dour affair. Bungay were put under pressure when Hunter was red-carded midway through the half, but they responded well and restricted United largely to harmless long-range shots.

Substitute Joe McFarlane went closest for Bungay, his 25-yard shot in the 80th minute going just over the bar. Just when Bungay seemed to have done enough to claim a point, United grabbed the winner in the 89th minute, imposing central defender Craig Roberts heading powerfully home from a right-wing corner. In stoppage time Bligh made another fine save to deny a home forward.

Tomorrow, Bungay visit Great Yarmouth Reserves. The Reserves entertain St. Andrews Reserves (2.30pm) and Bungay A entertain Spexhall Reserves (2.30pm() in the John Moore Shield second round. On Sunday Bungay Veterans entertain Kings Arms Crusaders (2.15pm) in the Over 40s league Cup second round.