Ely City Football Club's valiant effort to come back from two goals was in vain after a goal in stoppage time from Harleston Town's Joe Manning sealed three points and a 3-2 win.
The two in-form sides faced off against one another on Saturday, October 21, in the heavy rain, with 15th-placed Ely eager to avoid a repeat of last season's 8-0 home thrashing at home.
Ely were sluggish and second-best early on, and Harleston took a deserved lead in the 21st minute with Asa McGeachy slotting the ball under the keeper.
Suddenly, Ely came to life and quickly won a penalty for handball one minute after the goal, and top scorer Jack Friend stepped up, hoping to add to nine goals this season, but Elliot Pride made a great double save for Harleston.
Joshua Durham then made Ely pay in the 40th minute by putting the visitors 2-0 up heading into half time.
Into the second half, Ely's Luke Mansfield needed only two minutes to wriggle free and find some room to squeeze in a shot to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The second half was far more even, and with five minutes left on the clock, Jack Friend won a second penalty, which was this time dispatched by Charlie Tunnel to equalise.
The match looked like it might be ending with honours even, but two minutes into stoppage, Manning broke Ely's hearts, and their comeback fell just short.
Ely Manager Guy Habbin said: "We are disappointed to lose given that we had worked so hard to get back in the game.
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"I certainly felt, on reflection, we were worth something from the game.
"We really wanted to give the fans who were really driving us on in the second half something to cheer about, but it wasn't to be this time, but we are certainly grateful for their support".
Ely City are back in action away to Haverhill Rovers tonight (Wednesday, October 25) in the League Challenge Cup and then out to 5th-placed Thetford Town in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division on Saturday, October 28.
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