The Bloaters welcomed league leaders Mildenhall to a cold and breezy Wellesley and inflicted upon them a sensational 1-0 defeat on Saturday.

The visitors started well while Sean Perfect was the first to attempt anything on goal for the home side after 10 minutes, but his effort looped up into the arms of Josh Pope in the visitors goal.

The home side were struggling to retain the ball as the visitors were closing down well and giving them very little time on the ball.

Perfect was the main threat for the Bloaters and from one mazy run a foul on the winger earned a free kick that eventually brought a shot from Perfect which was blazed over.

Melanson then saw a fierce drive whistle past the post before the best chance of the half for the home side, as Perfect and Davis combined, saw Davis fire past the far post.

In the second half a nasty challenge by Green on Andersen brought a yellow card and seemed to galvanise the home side who were incensed by the challenge as the home skipper required lengthy treatment.

After an hour Holmes juggled the ball in order to evade a challenge and the ball popped up and hit a defender’s arm and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Without regular penalty-taker Mitch Forbes, up stepped Haydn Davis and he calmly sent Pope the wrong way as his spot-kick nestled in the bottom corner to give the home side the lead.

Five minutes later the visitors were down to 10 men as the dangerous Chris Bacon was sent off for a second yellow card.

The home side wound down the clock with a series of short corners. The visitors had one final attempt but in keeping with their afternoon, the ball ran frustratingly out for a goal kick.

The Bloaters managed the rest of the game and the runaway league leaders were beaten for the fourth time in eight games.

The win keeps the Bloaters in sixth but it is beginning to look like a competitive end of season battle for honour.

Bloaters: Whatmough, Taylor, Andersen, Bartram, Ager, Howell, Swatman, Applegate, Holmes, Davis, Perfect. Subs: Deeks, Savage, McAra, Catchpole.

The Reserves beat local rivals Belton 1-0 at Mill Lane. A Liam Fuller goal capped a fine display and secured a vital three points.