It was a result they deserved after dominating possession throughout, in a game of very few chances. Plenty of good approach work from both sides, but little – and almost nothing in the first half – to worry either keeper.

Halstead scored 16 goals in three games against Melford last season, but the Villagers have improved considerably since then, and the visitors were made to work for their three points.

Melford's one real chance came when they were already trailing and predictably, when that wasn't taken, Halstead swept up to the other end to wrap up the points, albeit a little fortuitously.

Melford manger Paul Grainger said he felt his side had been "a bit intimidated. Not physically, but I felt we gave them too much respect. Today I thought the scoreline flattered them. Not that we deserved anything, but I felt 1-0 would have been a fair reflection."

Brown said he feared it would be "the type of night where you dominate and get nothing. We had a lot of possession, but we didn't create that many chances. The message at half-time was to remain patient and wait for the opportunities."

Halstead followed the instruction to perfection, keeping their shape and not simply hitting long balls, the breakthrough finally coming in the 66th minute after Floyd Croll had made an excellent save to turn a wicked shot from Daly inches over.

The resulting corner was half-cleared, with the ball being driven back into the box, rebounding nicely off a defender for Daly to drive a low shot through the crowd and just inside the post.

Melford carved out their one real chance in the 88th minute when Carl Daw got on the end of a good move, but saw his shot blocked on the line by Paul Wood.

Halstead drove back to the other end and, after Croll had blocked one effort, and another shot hit a defender, Bryan drove the ball high into the net to wrap up the points.

Croll made another splendid save to keep out a powerful shot from Barefield in the 92nd minute, but a third goal then would have been cruel.

Long Melford: Croll; Durrell, Grimster, Chisholm, Adams, Crissell, Delves, Statham (Perry 77), Bull (Daw 70), Potter, Grindrod (Baker 8). Subs (not used): Aaron, Cutts.

Halstead Town: Wood; Joslin, Austin, Falla, Devaux, Morley (Rowell 61), Saunders, Daly, Bryan, San Lee (Barefield 82), Newman. Subs (not used): Harper, Crumpen.