MALDON skipper Martyn Coker is calling for a positive response after defeat against Mistley.

The Drapers Farm side travelled to Mistley and lost by three wickets to the home side in their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one encounter.

The visitors won the toss and batted first, setting a total of 219 all out. But the home side passed the target posting 220 for the loss of seven wickets.

Coker said: “Jamie Glenn and Chris Harris got us off to a quick start before Jamie was caught for 27.

“Jimmy Ainscough then batted positively, playing lots of aggressive shots, scoring a quickfire 54 off 52 balls.

“Chris Harris and myself then built the score, taking it to 171 for two off 36 overs. Following myself (17) and Chris (56) getting out, we lost wickets quickly.

“It was probably a total that was 20 or 30 short of where we should have got to.”

When Maldon took to the field their bowling didn’t live up to Coker’s expectations.

He said: “ We didn’t bowl as well as we can, bowling very short, which was punished by the Mistley batsmen. Glenn and Jody Brown bowled well at points but ultimately a lack of line and length and missed runs with the bat cost us.

“Despite this, we took eight bonus points and now must focus our attention on the game against Lakenheath. They are bottom of the table and it is key we get a positive result against them at Drapers Farm this week.”