It was the second week running second-placed AFC won away from home against a team challenging for a play-off place.

Saturday's game looked to be heading for a comfortable win for Mark Morsley's team after goals from Gareth Heath and James Rowe had given the Suffolk side a two-goal lead at the interval.

But a spirited second-half performance by the hosts, unbeaten in their previous seven league games, the last three of which had been drawn, threatened to get something from the game, particularly after John
Frendo reduced the deficit with ten minutes remaining.

In the end Frendo's goal turned out only to be a consolation thanks to the heroics of AFC keeper Nathan Munson, who made several important saves in his fifth consecutive appearance for the suspended Dean Neil.

Morsley made one change from the team that started the previous game. In came Luke Hammond for Paul Smith. The midfielder was injured but named among the substitutes.

The match attracted a crowd of 426, the best by over 100 for a league game at Wodson Park this season, a good percentage of them AFC fans.
Weather conditions were ideal but the pitch was very worn and not conducive to a passing game.

Nevertheless, AFC were good value for their two-goal interval lead.
Rowe put a header wide but then brought a fine full-length save from James Hoad before Heath opened the scoring after 17 minutes.

The goal came from Stuart Boardley's long throw-in from near the left corner flag. Simon Head headed the ball on to Heath at the far post, and he rifled a shot into the roof of the net for his 11th league goal of the campaign.

The home side looked dangerous on the break with the free-scoring Frendo causing a few problems. After 29 minutes he was fouled 25 yards from goal.

The AFC defensive wall did its job in keeping out Joe Stevens' free kick, but the ball fell kindly to Sam Rose who unleashed a fierce shot that looked destined for the top corner. But Munson made a brilliant flying save at the expense of a corner.

Four minutes later AFC doubled their lead. Defender Shane Wardley joined the attack and chased a seemingly lost cause to win a left-wing corner.

It was taken by Hammond and Rowe was on hand to bundle the loose ball over the line after Hoad had only managed to parry David Head's close-range effort. It was the striker's 27th league goal this term.

Just before the half-time whistle Rowe went close again with a chip that was only just too high.

Ware were quickly out of the blocks in the second half and Munson did well to hold on to a dangerous right-wing cross under extreme pressure.

That set the tone for the half with Ware looking much more dangerous than in the opening 45 minutes as AFC seemed content to protect their lead.

Several times Frendo threatened to force his way through, and on one occasion he was robbed by Sheridan Driver at the expense of a corner just as he was about to let fly. At the other end Heath had a shot deflected for a corner before a home corner was headed inches wide by Stuart Hammonds.

Munson produced a super save to tip away an effort from Frendo, and Sam Berry sent a free kick just over the bar as Ware continued to press.

With ten minutes remaining the AFC defence was finally breached when a swift move was finished off in style by Frendo. That goal set up a hectic finish as Ware tried desperately to get back on terms.

Munson was forced into another tip-over save, and as the match went into stoppage time the home side were almost caught on the break as Rowe rounded keeper Hoad and a defender only to have his shot cleared off the line.

There was still time for Ware to create one last chance, but Munson saved AFC's day with a fine block at the feet of Steve Horsey. AFC had made hard work of their victory which looked a mere formality after the first half.

AFC Sudbury: Munson; Driver, Wardley, Hammond, Girling, D Head, Heath, S Head, Simpson, Rowe, Boardley. Subs (not used): Bacon, Bethell, Hughes, N Smith, P Smith.