FC CLACTON took the lead before sliding to a 2-1 defeat in tonight’s Thurlow Nunn League premier division clash at the Rush Green Bowl.

Steve Hope headed them in front but the visitors quickly levelled from close range.

Felixstowe then grabbed their winner from the penalty spot early in the second half.

Clacton boss Kieron Shelley wanted a reaction from his players after Saturday’s 10-0 drubbing at Kirkley and Pakefield.

And his side made a bright start, going close on three occasions and belying their bottom-of-the-table status.

Kevin Coyle saw a free-kick whistle just wide of the left-hand post, after a foul on Kalon Harms.

Ollie Law then picked up a stray pass and had a shot tipped away by Danny Crump.

The loose ball was whipped in from the right and Tom Moore saw his header tipped round the post by the Felixstowe keeper.

The Suffolk Seasiders had a chance of their own when Liam Hillyard broke clear down the left but his low effort was excellently deflected round the post by keeper Robbie Lee.

It looked like there would be goals in the game and the first, amid much euphoria, went to Clacton.

Moore whipped in a corner from the left and centre-half Hope rose to send a looping, headed effort into the top corner of the Felixstowe goal.

Sadly for the hosts, though, it proved only a short-lived advantage.

Within minutes, Felixstowe were level after a cross from deep on the right was poked home from close range.

There was less incident in the second half and the chances dried up.

However, the pivotal moment resulted in a second, winning goal for Felixstowe.

Jimmy Shuttlewood committed a foul in the area – although the hosts protested that the full-back had got some of the ball - and Stuart Ainsley coolly drilled his penalty past Lee.

Clacton rallied in the latter stages and refused to give up, going agonisingly close through an audacious long-range effort from Coyle.

However, they were unable to salvage what would have been their first point of the season.

Elsewhere, STANWAY ROVERS defeated ten-man HOLLAND FC 2-1 in the League Challenge Cup.

Ben Newson and Billy Hunt were on target for Angelo Harrop’s side.

Neil Goldsworthy pulled one back from the penalty spot for Holland.

BRANTHAM ATHLETIC were also in League Cup action and won 7-0 at home to Hadleigh United.

Ollie Mann scored a hat-trick and there were further goals for Ed Nobbs, Ethan Abrahams and Romario Dunne (two).

WIVENHOE TOWN travelled to Barking in the Essex Senior Cup and lost 5-2.

Matthew Eve and Marcus Spindler netted the Dragons’ consolation.