FC Clacton won the battle of the high-flyers with a hard fought win over Saffron Walden Town at Caton’s Lane. It was an excellent victory for Clacton who recovered from a shaky start and a goal deficit to record a 2-1 victory and end Saffron Walden’s unbeaten start in the league.

Clacton welcomed back Dan Smith, Matt Waters and Mark White; Lee Peacock was preferred on the right side of midfield and with the injured Sean Hillier dropping to the bench. However, it would be White’s strike partner James Dunkley who would steal the limelight with both Clacton’s goals.

The home side were out of the blocks quickest  looking much the better side and they deservedly took the lead after eight minutes when top scorer Mitchell Das expertly flighted a left-footed free-kick in to the top corner leaving Darren Gould motionless.  The home side continued to look dangerous, especially from crosses and Clacton were lucky that seven minutes later a powerful header by Strong only found the side netting.

Clacton were slowly finding their footing and equalised after 19 minutes. Cool defensive work from Andy Taylor saw him evade the attention of two attackers and find Waters. His early through ball put Dunkley away and after setting himself the striker smashed the ball in off the left hand upright leaving Yates, like Gould earlier, rooted to the spot.

The rest of the half was very tight but Clacton just shaded it. They came agonisingly close to taking the lead when a long throw by Smith unexpectedly dropped to Dunkley.  His effort spun against the post and from the rebound Paul Hillier could only find Yates leg’s from close range.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the home side making the early running.  After just a minute, a left-wing cross was met by the stretching Anderson who could only direct the ball wide.  Two minutes later, the same player unleashed a surprise long-range effort that had Gould scrambling as the ball dipped just wide.

Again the Seasiders fought back and for much of the half dominated territorially with the Bloods attack well marshalled.  Smith’s long throw’s were causing problems and one of these found its way right across to White.  His effort flashed back across goal, just wide of both the post and Chris Ribchester’s desperate lunge to turn the ball home.

With 20 minutes left, Clacton grabbed what proved to be the winning goal.  A left-wing corner was glanced home by Dunkley at the near post, with the ball taking the slightest deflection off a defenders' head before finding the top corner.

Ten minutes later, Dunkley had a chance to seal the game and his hat-trick when Waters broke clear and squared to him, but the striker could only fluff his shot harmlessly to Yates.

Increasingly, the home side pressed forward looking for an equaliser but solid defence meant that Gould did not have a shot to save during normal time.

However, two long stoppages meant plenty of injury-time to survive and in the additional period, the Seasiders defences were nearly breached. First a goalmouth scramble saw the ball pinball around the area before falling to Das who hit straight at Gould from 15 yards.  Then in the dying seconds, all Clacton hearts were in mouths as a cross found Turner unmarked but Gould was out fast and blocked the shot to ensure all three points headed back to Clacton.