Great Yarmouth returned home empty handed after conceding two second half goals at a Coggeshall side who are likely to be challenging for the title next May.

Yet again joint managers Sinclair and Mason were forced to ring the changes with several key players unavailable or injured but they were pleased to welcome back skipper Rob Andersen and Ollie Savage.

Jordan Forbes also returned and there were three unders-18s in the squad, including a debut call-up for Logan Lonergan.

This would have been a tough task with a full squad but with nine players missing it was made even more difficult.

The home side attacked from the off as the diminutive George Cocklin curled in a shot that Whatmough tipped over. Much of the play was focused in the visitors’ half but the Bloaters’ defence looked well-organised and relatively comfortable against a side second in the division.

The task was made even more difficult when key defender Kyle Howell twisted a knee in an awkward challenge and was forced out to be replaced by youngster Josh Ford after 20 minutes.

The visitors were looking to frustrate the hosts and they were having much success with the game plan. It was not all one-way traffic as Applegate stole the ball and created an opening and then Forbes made an interception and strode out of defence and found Sanders who put the ball wide to McAra but his cross narrowly missed the incoming Sean Perfect.

Whatmough was kept busy in goal as the home side laid siege to the hard-working visitors and the deadlock was finally broken in the 63rd minute when an unstoppable strike after a corner was smashed into the top corner of the net by Cocklin.

Five minutes later Sam Applegate was harshly sent off for a second yellow card which effectively ended the match as a contest. Perfect and Palmer made way for Charlton and 16-year-old Lonergan came on. With 10 minutes left the home side scored a fine second goal as substitute Jamie Age headed home from a pinpoint cross by Cocklin. The hosts threatened to run riot towards the end but Whatmough and his defence remained defiant.

Great Yarmouth: Whatmough, Palmer, Savage, Forbes J, Ager, Howell, Andersen, Applegate, Perfect, Sanders, McAra. Used subs: Ford, Charlton, Lonergan.