Yarmouth Town 1 Brightlingsea Regent 1

The Thurlow Nunn Division One Knockout Cup final dress rehearsal against promotion hopefuls Brightlingsea Regent finished with honours even when, just three minutes from time, the visitors’ attained parity through Sam Holman. In truth, it was no more than they deserved.

In the fourth minute, after some early sparring, The Bloaters drew first blood when visiting custodian Daniel Beeson made a total hash of stopping a 20-yard Callum Jones drive which squirmed through his hands at the foot of the post, writes DEREK BIRD.

With the 10-minute mark approaching Johnny Jarvis was nearly deceived by the bounce of a long Brightlingsea defensive punt but he managed to avert the danger. From the subsequent corner he produced two fine saves in quick succession to keep the visitors at bay. It wasn’t long before another Brightlingsea clearance caused angst in the Bloaters’ defence. This time, Scott Page, who on another day could probably have notched a hat-trick, was locked shoulder to shoulder with Robin Andersen. He went down rather easily in the box and claims for a penalty were waved away.

With resolute defending, particularly by Jones, the Bloaters held on to their slender advantage to the break. During the final 10 minutes of the half the game could quite easily have been turned on its head – a Page header grazed the bar, he was denied by a Jarvis point- blank save with the follow-up being lashed wide and, with only Jarvis to beat,Terry Rymer shanked wide.

The visitors started the second period brightly and bossed the proceedings for long periods.

The Bloaters’ best chance came midway through when a great move culminated with Jones squaring to Mitch Forbes whose well-struck shot was superbly saved by Beeson. Minutes later, the keeper denied Mitch Forbes when, in no man’s land, he turned centre-half and headed powerfully away. On 82 minutes, Shaun Bartley who, seconds earlier nearly made a name for himself in the Regent’s area, was deemed to have curtailed another offensive illegally. The Bloaters’ wall did its job. With three minutes remaining, the Bloaters’ defence finally cracked when Holman pounced in the area.

Gt Yarmouth Town: Jarvis, Bartley, Anderson, Jones, Bryanton (McMorran 90), Forbes, Deeks, Barnden, M.Forbes, McAra, Oldham (Burnett 80).

Scorer: Jones. Booked: Bartley