Harleston Town extended their unbeaten home run over neighbouring Long Stratton to seven years with a dramatic 4-3 win in Saturday’s meeting, writes Shaun Button.

The hosts – back in the Hadley & Ottaway Anglian Combination Premier Division following last term’s ground-grading enforced relegation – spurned a good chance to take the lead early on and they were punished in the 14th minute when Stratton hotshot James Bemrose provided the all important finishing touch to put his side a goal up.

And almost immediately from the restart, a moment of magic saw Stratton double their lead.

Charlie Deakin was the scorer, finding the top corner from the edge of the Harleston box.

However, by the time the clock had ticked around to the 31st minute, Harleston were level.

First joint player-manager Nathan Stone reduced the arrears after latching on to Lawrence Cheese’s flick on and then Sam Borrer headed in a long throw.

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Football action from Harleston Town v Long Stratton..Mark Bullimore Photography 2019. (19038963)

But within five minutes, Stratton had got themselves back in front when an unmarked Bemrose found himself in the right place and the right time to score from a corner.

Harleston then lost Jake Anema for 10 minutes to the sin bin, but despite being a man light they managed to get themselves level before the break when Stone scored from the penalty spot after Borrer had been fouled.

The home team started the second half in positive fashion, forcing Stratton goalkeeper Chris Bartram to pull off a string of saves.

The winning moment eventually arrived in the 64th minute as Harleston defender Marc Pearce had all the time in the world to bury Scott Roberts’ free-kick.

And yet, it could have ended badly for Pearce because five minutes later he was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area, only for hat-trick hunting Bemrose to have his spot kick saved by Harleston goalkeeper Brandon Ling.

Harleston, who have moved up to second in the Premier Division table, will switch their focus to Norfolk Senior Cup matters tomorrow when they host Thurlow Nunn League First Division North outfit Sheringham (2.30pm).

Long Stratton, meanwhile, will be in league action at home against Waveney (2.30pm).