HALSTEAD Town lost 4-2 at home to nine-man Barking as their five-match unbeaten run in the Essex Senior League was ended, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The visitors deservedly claimed victory, on a day when the Humbugs failed to follow up on a good first-half performance and made far too many mistakes.

The visitors went on the attack from the start and when Ed Plackett dragged down a forward in the box, the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Ahmed Abdulla stepped up and for the second consecutive home game, Halstead were a goal down within a minute.

Jordan Palmer had a bullet header disallowed before Barking almost doubled their lead as a free-kick whipped in just needed a visitors touch but ended safely in Jack Cherry's arms.

Halstead levelled when Alfie Cleal’s ball into the box was chested by Joel Older and the defender fouled him for a spot-kick.

Palmer stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, to give Halstead a deserved equaliser.

Parity didn’t last long though and despite Halstead having the better of the attacks, Barking who got the next goal.

Abdulla capitalised on sloppy defending and poked into an empty net.

It could have been worse for the hosts as George Okoye turned on the edge of the box and Cherry got down well to turn around the post.

Halstead then wasted a great opportunity as Cleal played through Palmer but he blasted high and wide.

Minutes later the visitors keeper committed himself to a cross, spilled it but made a great recovery save from Palmer to keep his side in front.

Barking were also looking dangerous and Okoye's effort from the edge of the box was smothered to safety.

Abdulla fired over when well placed but Halstead’s defensive frailties caught up with them as Luke Hirst finally put the ball beyond Cherry’s reach, as Town frantically tried to block.

The Humbugs got a glimmer of hope just before half-time when Barking's Jack Folan was sent off for an off the ball incident with Blackwell.

Halstead took advantage straight away as Cleal’s cross was nodded home at the far post by Palmer, to reduce the arrears.

Cleal's terrific effort rattled the inside of a post following Ryan Carter's fine run, in the last action of a very good first half.

The second half got off to a bad start for Halstead as Barking extended their lead within five minutes of the restart.

Halstead again failed to defend properly and Hirst played in Tim Ogunrinde, who had the simple task of slotting home.

Chances were few and far between after that and although Cleal played a great ball behind the visitors defence for Oli Lonton, the keeper cut down the angle and saved.

This seemed to give Halstead momentum and somehow, with the ball bouncing all over the area, Barking managed to keep the ball from going over their goal line.

Barking were then reduced to nine men when Ogunrinde saw red having allegedly spat at the assistant.

It was unclear as to whether or not it was deliberate but after a long delay, he was dismissed.

Halstead pushed for a route back into the game with Bennett playing as a makeshift centre-forward.

Cleal pulled an effort wide from the edge of the box following Lonton's corner and Bennett headed over for the hosts.

But Barking had a good penalty shout rejected and their substitute Elie Tshmilumba almost made the hosts pay for more sloppy defending with his effort eventually being blocked, as Halstead were beaten.