LITTLE Oakley fought back from behind before completing a thrilling 3-2 victory at home to Holland FC tonight.

The sides met in an end-to-end Thurlow Nunn League first division derby at the Memorial Ground.

Holland drew first blood through FC Clacton loanee Zach Smith-Walter, who produced a composed finish on his debut, and soon added a second via Steve Eaton, who slotted home after keeper Luke Tynan saved Joe Martin's shot.

However, despite being reduced to ten men, following a red card for Ryan Smart for a tackle on Martin, Oakley pulled one back on the stroke of half-time through Lewis Wood.

The skipper connected with Shaun Kioussis' corner and sent a bullet header spinning into the Holland net.

Jordan Heath then restored parity, turning home a low cross from the left, before Harry Mann grabbed his side's late winner, coolly slotting inside the near post after a slide-rule pass from substitute Tyler Sullivan.

In addition to the goals and red card, there were numerous other chances and both sides hit the woodwork.

Kioussis' free-kick dipped onto the bar when it was still goalless while Jimmy Shuttlewood's delivery from the right later clipped the top of the Oakley bar.

Elsewhere tonight, MALDON AND TIPTREE lost 2-1 at home to AFC Sudbury.

Kieran Bailey gave them an eighth-minute lead in the Bostik League division north contest - only for the Suffolk side to score through Mekhi McKenzie and former Brightlingsea Regent hero Phil Kelly.

HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS lost 1-0 at Tilbury, following an early own goal by Thomas Cooney.