WITH their past two games postponed due to frozen pictures, Old Southendian travelled to Sudbury in Suffolk and started 2013 with a victory in East Division One.

In a game dominated by strikes from set pieces, they fought off a second half comeback to record a vital 3-2 win.

Although the home team started brightly, Old Southendian were first to score – James Byford reacting quickest to the rebound from a short corner to lift the the ball high into the net.

A Sudbury break forced goalkeeper Nick Richards to tip a shot onto the post, before the lead was doubled in similar fashion to the first, this time Drew O’Kill pouncing to slot the ball into the goal.

A few minutes later it seemed as if the visitors had put the game beyond doubt.

A scything tackle as Dave Catchpole drove into the circle was unlucky not to be rewarded with a penalty flick.

Yet this was not to prove significant, as O’Kill blasted in a rebound on his reverse stick from the resulting short corner.

A tremendous triple save from goalkeeper Richards then ensured Old Southendian reached half time with a commanding 3-0 lead.

Sudbury struck home powerfully from their first short corner of the second half to reduce the lead to 3-1.

Stuart MacDonald then spurned a gilt-edge chance to put the game beyond doubt, turning his shot wide of the near post after a flowing counter attack down the left wing had left him with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Old Southendian look set to rue the miss as Sudbury narrowed the deficit further with a well taken short corner move.

However, a strong performance in the final five minutes saw the visitors close out the win and, with it, three valuable away points.

Old Southendian return to Warners Bridge on Saturday to face Ford.

Push back is at 2pm.