Acle United ended third placed Mulbarton Wanderers’ long unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory at Bridewell Lane on Saturday.

Although playing with a brisk wind at their backs, Acle almost fell behind in the first minute.

A defensive mix-up saw a goalmouth scramble before the ball was eventually cleared and then a fine covering tackle from Stelzer-Hiller halted a dangerous attack.

It took a little while for the home side to adjust to the conditions, before Forder’s curling shot was pushed over the bar by the keeper. Minutes later, Sanders played the ball inside to H Gibbons, who had his leg clipped in a tackle but was able to get a shot in which the Wanderers’ keeper tipped round the post.

A quick break on the half-hour mark by the visitors saw D Foreman concede a free-kick just outside the penalty area, but the set-piece was deflected wide.

The stalemate was finally broken four minutes later. A long ball was headed on by Attree to Sanders who, looking offside, collected and lobbed the keeper from 18 yards to give Acle the lead.

It took a good save from a deflected shot by S Foreman in the home goal to keep Acle’s lead intact after a corner by the visitors was headed clear.

A short corner almost caught out the visitors just before half-time but H Gibbons’ shot just cleared the bare.

Peacock replaced Morgan who was unable to continue after the interval and within four minutes Acle had doubled their lead. A ball was helped on by Attree to Sanders who fired a low shot past the keeper to complete his brace.

The visitors, now enjoying the wind advantage had their best spell of the game. A snap shot just cleared the home crossbar and then they had a goal ruled out for offside, after a long ball had caught out the home defence.

Acle forced a series of corners after a shot from substitute Deivydas was deflected wide before Forder had an effort pushed past the post.

Almost on full-time, keeper Foreman was injured when gathering a high ball under pressure, but resumed after treatment. Then, with five minutes added on, Gibbons saw his shot saved.

Acle United: S Foreman, L Gibbons, C Wiley (Deivydas 65), D Foreman, O Stelzer-Hiller, H Gibbons, S Sandell, I Morgan (S Peacock 36), J Attree, R Forder, A Sanders (B Carvalho 83).