GREAT Wakering Rovers were made to pay for conceding two early goals as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to AFC Sudbury in the Isthmian North.

Tom Maycock and Liam Bennett found the back of the net inside the opening 19 minutes for the hosts.

Ollie Woodhouse was dismissed with seven minutes to play and although interim player-manager Steve Butterworth came off the bench to notch a late goal, it was not enough for Wakering.

Shomari Barnwell and Matt Rush had sightings of goal early on, but Sudbury grabbed the opener with 10 minutes on the clock as Maycock pounced after Wakering goalkeeper Louis Hawes had thwarted Paul Hayes.

Bennett made matters worse for Wakering as he found the top corner of the net from 25 yards out.

Callum Harrison tried his luck and sent an effort inches wide of the target, while Wakering responded with Rush seeing his strike blocked.

Rush was then denied by Sudbury goalkeeper Paul Walker after latching onto a low Barnwell cross and Ryan Doyle had a header tipped over the crossbar soon before half-time.

Reece Harris, Sudbury’s former East Thurrock United winger, sent a free-kick inches over the crossbar after the interval.

Hawes brilliantly tipped Billy Holland effort around the post but matters appeared to get worse for Wakering as Woodhouse saw red for scything down Ben Hammett.

But, three minutes later, Butterworth halved the deficit to give Wakering hope.

However, Walker made an impressive save to keep out a Jacob Wiggins strike and ensure Wakering could not claim a share of the spoils.