AMBLE Reserves suffered their second league defeat of the season against last year's fellow promotion side, Ellington.
The fixture was marred by another day of gale-force conditions that hampered two good footballing sides.
Manager Ryan Jobson
said: "The conditions were the same for both sides and the teams battled against the elements for the whole duration of the game.
"We didn't create enough clear-cut goalscoring opportunities today to win the match and we were caught twice on the break by Ellington."
The visitors were without several injured regular players including Charles Towers, Chris Connor, Domonic Toman, Lee Megson, Ritchie Bell and an operation last week to Wyn Fremlin is set to keep the striker out for the rest of the season.
A very young Amble team faced the prevailing wind during the first half and were pegged back for long periods as the home side used the conditions to their best advantage.
Ellington pressed forward and won several corners thanks to stalwart defending by Shaun Jobson, Barry Paton, Michael Straker and Alex Potts in the Amble defence.
Ellington had appeals for a penalty turned down when sixteen year old midfielder Cory Robertson appeared to chest the ball down inside the box. The visitors had two opportunities to score with Andy Timson coming close and Michael Straker just failing to properly connect with a Jobson free-kick.
The Seasiders enjoyed more of the play during the second half with Nick Moore, Carl Sayers, Etan Miller and Robertson pressing from midfield. Timson and Kevin Bell led the line as the visitors tested the Ellington defence.
The homeside scored the opening goal against the run of play on the hour-mark, with a quick break down the right flank. Amble had a strong offside appeal turned down and Adam Nevin produced a clinical finish.
The visitors had a couple of opportunities to level the score with Amble keeper David Hansen's free-kick being headed goalwards by Straker but his effort was saved by the Ellington keeper.
Amble pressed forward for the equalising goal and had strong appeals for a penalty turned down when Alex Potts was clearly brought down in the box.
Ellington should have scored a second goal with an easy opportunity being wasted with only Hansen to beat. Kevin Bell produced a great run and a thunderous top-corner shot that again was tipped over the bar as Amble threw everyone forward in the closing minutes.
A quick break at the other end wasn't properly cleared and Nevin took his time to score Ellington's second goal.
Amble Res: Hansen, S Jobson, Paton, Straker, Potts, Moore (Robson) Robertson, Sayer, E Miller, Timson, K Bell. Sub: Keilty. B-J-A man of the match: Michael Straker
