MALDON Cricket Club first team captain Martyn Coker was disappointed with their loss against the leaders.

Maldon travelled to Coggeshall Town for their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division one match.

Maldon, languishing one place off the bottom of the table, need points to haul themselves away from the danger zone.

The home side set a total of 190 for six for Maldon to chase but they only managed to post 161.

Coker said: “After heavy overnight rain, we won the toss and chose to bowl first on a pitch that appeared as though it might offer something to the bowlers early on.

“Jack Riley bowled Robert Cross first ball and, after this, Jack, Jamie Glenn and myself bowled accurately, reducing a strong Coggeshall line-up to 60 for six.

“However, we missed the chance to dismiss Ollie Blackwell cheaply and, after this, he went on to make 86, taking the game away from us in the later part of the innings.

“Marc Gozzett (36) and Jamie Glenn (25) got our innings off to a strong start before Jamie was given out stumped, despite it appearing he had made it back to his ground.

“This made a big difference as both he and Marc looked well set.

“Ian Elliott (41) and Matt Coppen (23) took the score past 100 and we looked comfortable.

“However, the loss of Elliott and a quick flurry of wickets saw us dismissed for 161.

“It was a disappointing result given we were in two or three positions from which we looked strong favourites.

“Seven points at the league leaders was ok, but we should have got 13 more for the victory.”

Maldon take on Hadleigh at Drapers Farm on Saturday.