FC CLACTON gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm after producing a battling performance and winning 2-0 at home to Saffron Walden Town.

Goals in each half from Kyelan Marvell and Sam Cripps, allied with a timely clean sheet, made it a highly-satisfying afternoon for the Seasiders.

Marvell got the ball rolling when his cross-shot flew into the net after just five minutes.

And Cripps, a late substitute, settled nerves with a cool finish from Marvell's pass.

It was Clacton's first Thurlow Nunn League premier division victory since January 14 and followed three straight defeats, at the hands of Newmarket Town, Long Melford and Thetford Town.

And it was a result that will give them fresh hope of clambering out of the bottom three and avoiding relegation.

They remain second from bottom but Kieron Shelley's side are now six points behind both Hadleigh United and neighbours Wivenhoe Town.

Hadleigh have played one match less while the Dragons have no less than four games in hand - one of which was due to be at home to Haverhill Rovers on Wednesday.

However, that fixture has now been postponed.

Wivenhoe had no game on Saturday.

Hadleigh were in action and came away with a point from their goal-less draw at fifth-placed STANWAY ROVERS.

There was a milestone win for BRANTHAM ATHLETIC as joint-bosses Matt Carmichael and Michael Brothers celebrated their first victory in charge of the Imps.

They won 2-0 at home to Godmanchester Rovers, in a match that kicked-off at the earlier time of 2pm, thanks to goals either side of the interval from Sean Bartlett and Sean Gunn.

The latter netted from the penalty spot to secure Brantham's first victory since December 3.

Things are shaping up nicely in division one and there were wins for high-flying COGGESHALL TOWN, HALSTEAD TOWN and HOLLAND FC, while BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES took a point off leaders Stowmarket Town.

Coggeshall were the day's most convincing winners, scoring five without reply against King's Lynn Reserves.

Darren Mills netted twice and he was joined on the scoresheet by Jamie Shaw, Kamal Guthmy and Nnamdi Nwachuku.

Previous pacesetters Coggeshall are now second in the table, three points behind Stowmarket with a game in hand, having seen the leaders pegged back by Braintree's reserves as substitute Jack Hurley scored in a 1-1 draw.

Haverhill Borough sit third, a point behind, having not played on Saturday.

Halstead ran out 3-1 winners at home to Dereham Town Reserves.

Kane Gilbert put them in front, applying the finishing touch after a strong run and cross from Shaun Avis.

Joe Illet's precision lob doubled the Humbugs' lead before Avis converted from the spot, after a foul on Jordan Hutchings.

Ray Turner continued his purple patch in front of goal after netting in Holland's 2-0 success at Downham Town.

Gary Mcilwaine was also on target for the coastal side, who sit ninth in the table.