Two first half goals from Jamie Crawley allowed Newmarket Town to claim the local bragging rights over Mildenhall Town on Tuesday evening.

Mildenhall debutant Alan Ross opened his account for his new club in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to spur the visitors into taking something from the game.

The away side started brightly and could have taken the lead with just three minutes gone. Sean Hefferon and Jamie Thurlbourne, who like Ross was making his Mildenhall debut, linked well down the left hand side to create a chance for Aaron Turner. However, the angle was tight for the midfielder and he could only find the side netting.

John Sands and Turner then combined for the latter to cross for Ross, but the former Walsham-le-Willows man couldn’t generate enough power into his headed effort.

Mildenhall were getting plenty of joy down their left hand side and with half hour played Hefferon won a challenge against Andy Eady before crossing for Turner, who with the ball bouncing awkwardly fired over.

Just five minutes later the hosts, who had rarely threatened up until this point, took the lead. Steve Bugg raided down the right wing before crossing to an unmarked Crawley whose first time volley flew into Josh Pope’s goal with the aid of the upright.

With half time approaching James McCabe curled in a cross which was met by Turner, but the former Soham Town Rangers man sent his header straight at home goalkeeper Lee Hulyer.

Crawley doubled Newmarket’s lead deep into first half stoppage time. The midfielder edged out Mildenhall skipper Dave Werthman wide on the left before cutting in and beating Pope at the second time of asking.

Mildenhall started the second half in similar fashion to the first and grabbed their reward with 54 minutes played. Newmarket full back Wayne Goddard misjudged a header and Ross capitalized to take one touch and fire left footed beyond Hulyer.

Thurlbourne then produced two teasing crosses which his new team-mates failed to make connection with, but it was hosts Newmarket that had the better chances to extend their lead.

Young striker Richard Gammon raced through the Mildenhall defence only to be denied by Pope, and Pope again was on hand to deny Bugg after the striker had jinked his way into the box.

The referee added on six minutes of injury time but for all their possession Mildenhall were unable to force the equalizer.