Felixstowe & Walton manager Kevin O’Donnell cut a disappointed figure at full-time, but could at least find consolation in his team’s fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude.

The hosts dropped to sixth following the draw, Newmarket remaining in third, and failed to capitalise on leaders’ Norwich United’s shock 2-0 defeat at Stanway Rovers.

It could have been a lot worse though for the Seasiders who, despite have the better possession in the first half, failed to create many clear-cut chances, before being punished for some slack defending by a revitalised Newmarket.

However, two-goal hero Ben Cranfield spared Felixstowe’s blushes, volleying home a powerful drive with almost the last kick of the game.

“At the start of the season we lost a couple of games and we gave up,” said O’Donnell.

“We have worked on that and the good thing is, the players don’t know when they are beaten.

“We dominated the first half but need to capitalise when we are on top.”

Cranfield bagged his 16th and 17th goals of the season and looks destined to become the club’s top scorer for the third season running.

O’Donnell added: “He has won the golden boot in this division and is one of the best strikers in the league.

“Just as important though are the players we have around him and we have some very good technically-minded players going forward.

“We like to try and play good football, that’s our style. It’s too easy to go from back to front.

“This pitch (at the Goldstar Ground) is great for in terms of allowing the players to get the ball down and play.”

O’Donnell’s men are back in action tomorrow night when they host Ryman North Lowestoft Town in the Suffolk Premier Cup, a game that could pit brothers Stuart (Felixstowe) and Jack Ainsley (Lowestoft) against each other.