The hosts looked very mobile for long periods and showed to be a useful outfit, but when it came to being effective in front of goal they simply could not match Halstead's fire power.

Town took their goal total to over 30 from ten games.

Already without Artun, Lyness, Battell, Lee and Barefield, and with Austin and Saunders injured at Gorleston on Saturday, manager Jody Brown called up Dave Streetley and welcomed back Mark Emerson and Liam Morley.

This first-ever game between the sides opened with Takeley full of running, with Alex Martin lively on the left flank while Dayo Oshitola was a tricky customer up front.

Paul Wood went down well to deny Greg Williams, although there was little between the sides in the early stages.

Takeley forced a couple of corners, but Halstead stood firm, and when the visitors opened their account on 34 minutes they certainly had the edge, Chris Bryan robbing defender Matt Watters and running on to score.

However, right on the half-time whistle Takeley got back on terms when a low shot from an acute angle by Martin deflected off Tom Devaux past the stranded Woods.

The home side attacked strongly in the second half and gave Halstead plenty to think about, then on the hour Brown brought on Chris Rayner and Liam Morley for Andy Joslin and Streetley, which heralded two goals in as many minutes to put the visitors in the driving seat.

First a huge Wood clearance found Bryan, who set up Morley to score despite a brave attempt to save by keeper Jim May.

Then a long Rayner throw-in was driven home by Turner, and from here on Halstead never looked back, although it needed a fine save by Wood to tip over from Oshitola in a breakaway.

Victory was clinched with five minutes left when a Bryan free kick found the head of skipper Steve Daly whose effort was fumbled over the line by keeper May.

Halstead Town: Wood; Emerson, Rowell, Falla, Devaux, Joslin (Rayner 60), Pollard, Daly, Bryan, Turner, Streetley (Morley 60). Sub (not used): Crumpen.