MARATHON MAN TURNS UP HEAT!

AFC SUDBURY manager Rick Andrews revealed he had prepared to take their marathon man Jake Turner off – ahead of the 31-year-old heading home the extra-time winner against Heybridge Swifts to seal the Suffolk club’s return to Step 3 football.

- Russell Claydon

The 98th-minute header proved decisive in a tense Pitching In Isthmian League North Division Play-Off Final at The MEL Group Stadium with the hosts’ goal in a 1-0 win coming from the player who was unavailable for Tuesday’s semi-final due to the effects of running the London Marathon.

It proved to be the perfect way for the hometown midfielder to celebrate his 100th appearance in what is the former Brightlingsea Regent player’s second spell for the club, but it nearly didn’t happen.

Boss Andrews revealed the player who had spent the week in and out of ice baths in a bid to be ready was almost subbed!