Haverhill couldn't add to their midweek win against Halstead as, despite a Ross Elkins penalty early in the second half, they couldn't recover from two first half goals from Tim Palmer and Wayne Woods.

Away defender Gareth Thomas cleared an FC Clacton off the line in the 27th minute but he couldn't do anything a minute later as the hosts took the lead, the ball being carried down the left wing before it was squared for Palmer to touch past goalkeeper Ed Campbell and into the net.

The lead was doubled eight minutes later following a good cross from the right, Woods meeting the ball with a thunderous header that went past the helpless Campbell and in off the underside of the bar.

Haverhill captain Elkins pulled a goal back from a penalty kick awarded for handball three minutes into the second half but his side could not muster an equaliser; they came close in the 89th minute when Andy Hughes hit a 30 yard bullet of a shot towards goal but he was denied by an outstanding save from the home goalkeeper as he touched the ball on to the face of his own bar.

ROVERS RESERVES : Ed Campbell, Gareth Thomas, Paul Hunt, Joe Harvey, Jamie Challis, Ross Elkins, Ben Cowling, Andy Hughes, Paul Jenkin, Ryan Kent, Cody Frazier.
Subs : James Catten (for Paul Hunt, 73), Harry Halls (for Cody Frazier, 66), Sam Holmes (for Ben Cowling, 46), James Robertson.
Goals : Ross Elkins (48, penalty).
Bookings : None.
Red cards : None.