Acle United 1, Holt 1Acle's Sterry Cup aspirations took a big knock when they were held by basement side the Owls on Saturday, wasteful finishing costing them dear.

Acle United 1, Holt 1

Acle's Sterry Cup aspirations took a big knock when they were held by basement side the Owls on Saturday, wasteful finishing costing them dear.

A victory would have seen them sitting on top of the Anglian Combination Premier with five games left.

Toby Blowers gave the visitors the lead 14 minutes after the break but Holt were then pegged back for the rest of the game as Acle enjoyed the freedom of the park.

Holt could not get into Acle territory and had to adopt a 'big boot' game to keep their lead intact, which did not make for good viewing for purist supporters.

James Medlar blotted his copybook when, after 75 minutes, he tripped Acle's John Curtis who had

worked some space in the visitors' penalty area,

giving James Foreman the opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot.

There was plenty of endeavour but precious little end product in a match which had the feel of an end- of-season game rather than an encounter which could push Acle closer to their ultimate aim and Holt nearer safety from the drop.

Acle displayed all the attacking flair with even both full-backs joining in the attacks, but their front men were having no luck.

While Harrison, Fruin and the Foreman brothers inspired Acle, who looked slick and purposeful - befitting a team in their position - Holt huffed and puffed in their own half for long periods.

Acle's manager Tony Ward will know that this was perhaps their least effective display all season against a side who are staring relegation in the face and who didn't have any inclination to venture out of their own half, except for when Blowers saw his 'hit and hope' shot take a wicked deflection off James Foreman and deceive Scott Foreman in Acle's goal to put the visitors ahead.

Acle's lacklustre goalscorers were relieved after 75 minutes to see James Foreman stroke home the perfect penalty. Acle again contributed to their own downfall with their wayward finishing.

Tomorrow, Acle entertain AFC Norwich and on Tuesday they visit Wroxham Reserves.

Robin Tungate