It was a game of fluctuating fortunes on Saturday as Elston United just failed to grab the win that their play merited. In the end though, The Clams were punished for some uncharacteristic errors in defence and perhaps paid the price for not taking one or two more of the opportunities they created.

Ravenshead started the game far livelier than their hosts and took the lead in the second minute when a cross-field pass found William Abbs – their ever-dangerous right-winger – who calmly slotted home past the advancing Brad Musgrove. Elston responded well, however, and the midfield duo of Sam Lloyd and James Scott began to take control of the game.

That said, Elston’s 12th minute equaliser came from direct play when Musgrove’s long clearance evaded the Ravenshead defence and found Elliott Burrell who calmly lobbed the Ravenshead keeper from 20-yards. Further chances came and went for Elston. Barney Repper’s cross-shot from the right wing bounced to safety after striking the inside of the post, Will Veys's low drive was well-saved and Rui Thacker’s goal was chalked off for a marginal offside.

Elston’s pressure finally paid dividends in the 41st minute when Curtis French’s out-swinging corner was headed home by Toby Craven, to leave Elston 2-1 up at half-time. By this stage it seemed that Elston had the opportunity to kick-on and extend their lead in the second half and, although The Clams continued to dominate possession and territory, Ravenshead’s switch in formation, meant that the home team found it a bit harder to find space on the wing and to create significant chances against a well-organised defence.

In the 55th minute, a rare Ravenshead visit to the Elston half ended in a goal when Musgrove failed to hold onto a bouncing ball in the box and Lewis Bilbie was on hand to equalise. Elston responded well, but after failing to score from a number of promising opportunities, things when from bad to worse for the hosts in the 74th minute when Ravenshead re-took the lead after a long ball from defence fell to Abbs who made no mistake from 12 yards out for his second goal of the game.

The final fifteen minutes were spent almost entirely in and around the Ravenshead box as Elston searched for an equaliser, and in the 80th minute they earned a penalty when Sam Lloyd was tripped in the box. Scott made no mistake from the spot – his fourth goal and third penalty of the season – and Elston nearly won the game in the final minute when Tom Hazelwood’s free-kick agonisingly evaded Jordan Forth, James Scott and Sam Lloyd before hitting the outside of the Ravenshead post and dropping to safety.

Seconds later the referee blew the final whistle leaving the Elston players and fans asking whether this was one point gained or two dropped, but after four games of their first season in the NSL Division 1 Elston have made a reasonably strong start and sit mid-table with five points.

Elston United: Brad Musgrove, Barney Repper, Toby Craven, Jake Leadbetter (Jordan Forth 80), Tom Hazelwood, James Scott, Sam Lloyd, Curtis French (Sam Adcock 70), Rui Thacker (Josh Johnson 80), Elliott Burrell, Will Veys (Teddy Furman 70)