There were contrasting emotions for two sides at either end of the Thurlow Nunn League premier division table.

While FC CLACTON were busy celebrating their first win of the season, second-placed STANWAY ROVERS were disappointed to crash out of the FA Vase as they lost in extra-time at Spartan South Midlands League side St Margaretsbury.

Stanway, who have been flying in the league, had been hoping to book their place in the third round of the Vase and looked to be heading through with five minutes of the normal time remaining.

Angelo Harrop's men took the lead in the sixth minute when a handball in the box saw them awarded a penalty that Craig Hughes slammed home from the spot.

St Margaretsbury looked to respond to the setback and Rovers keeper Nick Punter had to be alert on more than one occasion to keep his team's lead intact.

It meant the hosts were frustrated, but they finally made the breakthrough with five minutes of the 90 remaining to take the tie into extra-time.

Unfortunately for Stanway, that proved to be 30 minutes to forget as first a penalty and then two further goals put St Margaretsbury 4-1 ahead, leaving Josh Neale's late goal as only a consolation as Rovers bowed out.

While Stanway were enduring Vase heartbreak, though, Clacton were finally enjoying league success in the premier division.

It has been a tough season at the Rush Green Bowl, with the Seasiders losing 17 of their 18 games and sitting rock-bottom of the table.

However, they gave their supporters something to cheer as Matt Stace's goal saw them to a 1-0 win against the side directly above them in the standings, Swaffham Town.

While Clacton were winning, though, there were 4-2 defeats for both BRANTHAM ATHLETIC and WIVENHOE TOWN against Kirkley and Pakefield and Mildenhall Town respectively.

Wivenhoe were hosting the premier division leaders and found themselves 3-0 down at half-time. Goals from Ben Connell and Hasan Ayten gave some hope after the break, but the Dragons conceded a fourth goal to lose 4-2.

In division one, HALSTEAD TOWN bounced back from back-to-back defeats with a 2-0 win against Whitton United at the Milbank Stadium.

Goals at the end of both halves won it for the Humbugs.

Marcus Warren fired home from a corner in time added-on at the end of the first half and Lewis Cunliffe scored a second from the penalty spot in the 88th minute. BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES lost 5-1, while there was frustration for COGGESHALL TOWN and HOLLAND FC as their respective games fell foul to waterlogged pitches.