Gorleston are back in FA Cup action, against Northampton Spencer of the United Counties League Premier, in the preliminary round at Emerald Park tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

Gorleston are back in FA Cup action, against Northampton Spencer of the United Counties League Premier, in the preliminary round at Emerald Park tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

Halstead Town 4, Gorleston 1

THE Greens' unbeaten start to the Ridgeons First Division season was ended in resounding fashion by a resurgent Halstead side as the east coast side suffered a bad day at the office on Saturday.

Halstead began on top with Lee Townrow firing over and Tom Webb shooting straight at Steve Cannon. The Greens' attack was one-dimensional with long, high balls easily dealt with by the tall Halstead defenders.

The home side took the lead somewhat controversially in the 18th minute. The linesman signalled a Gorleston throw but was overruled by the referee. The initial throw was cleared but a long ball back into the box found Webb unmarked at the far post for a simple tap-in.

The Greens were level in the 33rd minute when Adam Ferguson soared into the air to win a header he had no right to win, nodding the ball down to Steve Taylor who slotted it nicely into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Webb had a superb shot which rocketed into the goal but this was disallowed for offside as Halstead piled on the pressure before half-time.

Cannon tipped a Webb shot round a post then Webb again from the corner saw his shot deflected over as the Gorleston defence stood firm.

The visitors began to get it together as the second half started before disaster struck on the hour when a Webb corner curled directly into the net with Cannon flapping.

Halstead began bombarding the Gorleston goal with high balls before manager Richard Daniels tried a triple substitution in an effort to change things with Mills, Howes and Goreham making way for Harman, Scrivens and Heller.

Cannon made amends for his earlier error by palming an Adam Gillespie shot over the bar to keep his team in the game. But he could do nothing about the third goal where Ray Turner was given far too much time and space to turn 20 yards out and hit a shot which took a wicked deflection, looping up and over Cannon and into the net.

Gorleston tried to rally with Greens' man of the match D J Kareche making two storming runs down the right wing and whipping in excellent crosses which were not attacked by the Gorleston strikers.

Cannon again made two good saves before Halstead's best move of the game down the left wing set up Webb to tuck the ball inside to Powell, who passed it into the far corner of the goal.

Gorleston's players were left disappointed and frustrated with their performance.

Manager Daniels said: “We didn't play well and made too many mistakes. We gifted them three goals.”

The Reserves' home match with Lowestoft has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, 7.45pm.