Simon Charlton will be wondering how his Mildenhall Town side failed to take anything from Saturday’s encounter with Debenham LC.

Despite taking the lead in the first half, hosts Mildenhall eventually lost by four goals to two against a well organized Debenham side.

Mildenhall started brightly, with Carl Murkin, enjoying a spell up front at the moment, firing inches wide after being found by David Cooper.

In form Aaron Turner then headed over Jamie Thurlbourne’s cross, but the 21-year-old wasn’t to be denied and fired Mildenhall ahead after 23 minutes.

Jamie Thurlbourne was again the creator, drilling in a low centre which Turner controlled before guiding the ball into the net despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Louis Johnson.

Turner and Johnson again did battle five minutes later, but this time Johnson came out on top, spreading himself well to deny the Mildenhall striker his second of the afternoon.

Having rarely threatened the Mildenhall goal in the opening half hour, the visitors stunned the home crowd by drawing level through a familiar source. Former Mildenhall winger Warren Taylor-Holt curled in a 25 yard free-kick which was too hot for keeper Josh Pope to handle and the ball nestled in the bottom corner.

The equalizer breathed confidence into the Debenham display, and they would have taken the lead but for a brave save from Pope to deny skipper Paddy Turley.

The sides went into break with a goal apiece, but with just six second half minutes gone Debenham were in front in controversial circumstances.

Ed Cussons long forward pass found Dale Vince, and despite appearing to be in an offside position, the veteran midfielder was allowed to play on and score at the second attempt after an initial save from Pope.

However, the travelling faithful barely had time to celebrate the goal when their side were pegged back a minute later.

Mildenhall’s combative midfielder Luke Thurlbourne was the man on hand to capitalize on sloppy Debenham defending and slam an unstoppable effort past a helpless Johnson in goal.

The home side failed to build Thurlbourne’s goal though, and just before the hour mark they were behind for the second time in the match.

Neil Gooderham sent over a free-kick from deep which Pope came out to meet. However, his punch fell to the feet of Ben Deacon who sent the ball back over the keeper and, despite the best efforts of the retreating Michael Harvey, into the net.

Mildenhall captain Dave Werthman then saw his header cleared off the line by John Ince, before Luke Thurlbourne drew a fine save from Johnson to keep his side in front.

With injury time fast approaching, the inevitable gaps appeared in the Mildenhall defence as they pushed forward to find a goal. The away side capitalized in the form of substitute Danny Allen, who reacted quickest after Pope had denied Deacon to cleverly chip in from the edge of the penalty area and seal the points.