Resolute defending and two perfectly taken goals earned Needham Market a 2-0 victory on the road at Folkestone Invicta in the Bostik Premier.

Stowmarket Mercury: Needham's Callum Harrison celebrates his strike. Picture: BEN POOLEYNeedham's Callum Harrison celebrates his strike. Picture: BEN POOLEY (Image: Archant)

On the stroke of half time, Ryan Gibbs gave the visitors the lead with a neat finish into the far corner. Somewhat against the run of play, but all credit to Gibbs who made no mistake.

After the interval, Danny Gay proved his worth to the team denying the lively Scott Heard with a fine save. The Kent outfit searched for an equaliser and came close through Ian Draycott.

But having soaked up the pressure, Needham landed the sucker punch in additional time. Max Booth hassled the Folkestone defence and found Callum Harrison on the edge of the penalty area. His fine strike into the bottom corner doubled the advantage and brought a first away victory of the campaign.

In Bostik North, a 50th minute Shaun Avis free kick gave Mildenhall a 1-0 win over Ware Town.

Stowmarket Mercury: Jack Simmons high fives Ryan Gibbs after scoring for Needham. Picture: BEN POOLEYJack Simmons high fives Ryan Gibbs after scoring for Needham. Picture: BEN POOLEY (Image: Archant)

There were a few chances in the first period for both teams, particularly for Ware’s Kamanan and Hall’s Matt Green. The game iginted on the half hour when Ware’s Abdullah went in heavily on Gareth Simpson, to earn a straight red.

The second half stated brightly for the home side, and on 50 minutes the lively Chambers-Shaw was brought down on the edge of the box, Avis drilling the ball home from the resultant free kick.

Also in West Suffolk, Bury Town went down 4-1 at home to AFC Hornchurch.

After an even first half Hornchurch controlled the game from the start of the second half and took a comfortable win at the final whistle. Tobi Joseph fired the visitors ahead on 13 minutes with a low strike from close range, but Bury equalised through an own goal by the Hornchurch stopper as he dropped the ball from a corner and it went in off his leg.

Hornchurch started to control the play and on 54 minutes they were back in front, Brad Warner smashing the ball past the Bury keeper after a mistimed tackle at the back from Bury left him clear

Joseph helped himself to second on 71 minutes with a well taken goal and Theo Fairweather-Johnson made it four.

Finally, AFC Sudbury fell to a 2-0 defeat at Dereham Town.