Thurlow Premier Brantham Athletic 2 Stowmarket Town 4 Stowmarket Town produced a stunning late comeback from 2-1 down to beat Brantham Athletic 4-2 and move back up to third in the table, writes Alex Moss.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ace Howell, right, marked his first Stow start in almost a year with a goal. Picture: RICH MARSHAMAce Howell, right, marked his first Stow start in almost a year with a goal. Picture: RICH MARSHAM (Image: Richard Marsham - RMG Photography Tel - 07798 758711)

The two promotion rivals, separated by just one point and one place in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division table, conjured up an early Christmas cracker at Brantham Leisure Centre, with four of the game’s six goals coming in the final 10 minutes.

Trailing 2-1 after Jack Smith’s curling strike from outside the box had put the hosts back in front on 85 minutes, the Old Gold and Blacks struck three times to secure a memorable comeback win.

Stow manager Rick Andrews wanted his side to avoid another slow start, having conceded an early goal in each of their previous three outings, and he would have been pleased as Josh Mayhew and Ace Howell brought out fine saves from Callum Robinson in the Brantham goal.

Despite the visitors coming close to scoring on several occasions, it was the Imps who would strike the first blow. Player joint-manager Michael Brothers curled a free kick round the Stow wall and past James Bradbrook to put his side in front.

Stow responded and were back on level terms on the stroke of half time when Dave Cowley sent a low cross into the box for Howell, making his first start for Andrews’ side in almost a year, who flicked the ball past Robinson for his first goal since returning to Greens Meadow.

Smith regained Brantham’s lead with five minutes of normal time left, but once again Stow hit back and parity was restored just two minutes later when Cowley’s free kick evaded everyone in the box and found the Brantham net.

Ollie Brown then put the visitors ahead on the 90th minute, before substitute George Bugg scored Stow’s fourth to wrap up the victory in added time.

“We haven’t taken any points off the big teams so far, until today,” Andrews said. “I felt it was an acid test to see how far we’ve come. We’ve beaten a very good Brantham side, who have been on an excellent run.”