AFC Sudbury Reserves's first home match of the season ended in defeat, as Kane Munday's late strike gave Halstead Town a 2-1 win over their Suffolk hosts.
The Yellows took the lead as Ollie Peter struck home inside the opening 31 minutes, before Ash Drew equalised for the visitors.
Substitute Kane Munday proved to be a pivotal substitution, as he fired home late on.
The visitors had a strong start, with James Regan's header from Jack Shelvis's cross cleared away by Tom Dettmar.
AFC responded, as Ollie Peters attempted to set up Callum Fuller, but the play was marked offside.
Ben Hunter came close for the Yellows in the 21st minute, as his effort, which deflected off Kemp, was claimed by Humbugs keeper Joe Fowler.
Halstead's Wilderspin played the ball to Karl Andrade, who struck an effort straight at AFC keeper Robinson, after an earlier free-kick was cleared by the hosts.
Munday and Fuller did well, as they set up a chance in the 25th minute, although the effort was blocked. A resulting corning was picked up by Fuller, but his effort was blocked.
The Yellows continued to pressure their Essex visitors: Good build-up play between Fuller, Mckenzie and Peters allowed the ball to find Hunter who crossed towards McKenzie, but the shot was blocked. The resulting corner was punched away by Fowler.
AFC's dominance paid off in the 31st minute, as Ollie Peters fired the ball home from a long range pass, to give the hosts the lead.
However, the Humbugs drew level, five minutes later, as Jamie Baker's cross was headed away by Hammett. The resulting corner met Ash Drew who headed home to draw the game level.
Mckenzie's header from Ben Hammett's cross was struck over the bar in the 39th minute, with neither side able to break the deadlock before the interval.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury 1 Halstead Town 1
The Humbugs controlled began the second period strong, with efforts from Adam Hampson and Karl Andrade both off target, while Callum Watson smashed the ball wide for the hosts.
The home side looked to regain the lead, as Callum Fuller timed his run well to clnch onto Ollie Peters' long ball in a one-on-one situation, but visting 'keeper Joe Fowler reacted well to win the ball.
Halstead's first sub saw Nick Miller replace Jordan Hutchings in the 66th minute.
AFC's Ollie Peters produced a marvellous play to beat several Halstead players, and attempted to cross the ball in, but the visitors cleared the danger. At the other end, AFC's Callum Robinson made a good save to deny Adam Hampton.
Both sides made changes, as Callum Fuller departed the field for Callum Vincent for the hosts (66'), before Kane Gilbert replaced James Regan for Town (69').
The Yellows came close once again, as Callum Watson's excellent shot was tipped into the post by Fowler, and Callum Vincent attempted to slot it home, but the play was ruled out.
Ollie Peters continued to threaten the visitors as his effort from Watson's long throw was blocked, before Ben Hunter saw his chance blocked from McKenzie's delivery.
Town's final change saw Harry Salter replace Tyler Kemp in the 80th minute.
Neither side looked to give up, as Callum Vincent's long range effort flew over the crossbar, while Karl Andrade's free-kick was struck narrowly wide of Callum Robinson's goal.
However, the visitors struck late on to win the match, as Nick Wilderspin set up substitute Kane Gilbert, who turned past his man and slotted in the bottom corner.
Further substitutions were made by AFC with Oliver Gravetti and Tom Maycock picking up some game time, after replacing Ben Hammett and Ben Hunter.
The Yellows looked to draw level in the closing stages, but the visitors held on for their win.
Full-time: AFC Sudbury Res 1 Halstead Town 2
AFC Sudbury: Callum Robinson, Ben Hammett (Tom Maycock, 89'), Kane Munday, Tom Dettmar, Sam Mills, Baris Altintop, Ben Hunter (Oliver Gravetti, 89'), Callum Watson, Callum Fuller (Callum Vincent, 69'), Mekhi Mckenzie, Ollie Peters. Unused Sub: Mitchell Potter.
Halstead: Joe Fowler, Jordan Hutchings (Nick Miller, 66'), Marcus Warren, Nick Wilderspin, Ash Drew, Jack Shelvis, Jamie Baker, Tyler Kemp (Harry Salter, 79'), Adam Hampson, Karl Andrade, James Regan (Kane Gilbert, 69'). Unused Sub: Lewis Cunliffe.
The Yellows took the lead as Ollie Peter struck home inside the opening 31 minutes, before Ash Drew equalised for the visitors.
Substitute Kane Munday proved to be a pivotal substitution, as he fired home late on.
The visitors had a strong start, with James Regan's header from Jack Shelvis's cross cleared away by Tom Dettmar.
AFC responded, as Ollie Peters attempted to set up Callum Fuller, but the play was marked offside.
Ben Hunter came close for the Yellows in the 21st minute, as his effort, which deflected off Kemp, was claimed by Humbugs keeper Joe Fowler.
Halstead's Wilderspin played the ball to Karl Andrade, who struck an effort straight at AFC keeper Robinson, after an earlier free-kick was cleared by the hosts.
Munday and Fuller did well, as they set up a chance in the 25th minute, although the effort was blocked. A resulting corning was picked up by Fuller, but his effort was blocked.
The Yellows continued to pressure their Essex visitors: Good build-up play between Fuller, Mckenzie and Peters allowed the ball to find Hunter who crossed towards McKenzie, but the shot was blocked. The resulting corner was punched away by Fowler.
AFC's dominance paid off in the 31st minute, as Ollie Peters fired the ball home from a long range pass, to give the hosts the lead.
However, the Humbugs drew level, five minutes later, as Jamie Baker's cross was headed away by Hammett. The resulting corner met Ash Drew who headed home to draw the game level.
Mckenzie's header from Ben Hammett's cross was struck over the bar in the 39th minute, with neither side able to break the deadlock before the interval.
Half-time: AFC Sudbury 1 Halstead Town 1
The Humbugs controlled began the second period strong, with efforts from Adam Hampson and Karl Andrade both off target, while Callum Watson smashed the ball wide for the hosts.
The home side looked to regain the lead, as Callum Fuller timed his run well to clnch onto Ollie Peters' long ball in a one-on-one situation, but visting 'keeper Joe Fowler reacted well to win the ball.
Halstead's first sub saw Nick Miller replace Jordan Hutchings in the 66th minute.
AFC's Ollie Peters produced a marvellous play to beat several Halstead players, and attempted to cross the ball in, but the visitors cleared the danger. At the other end, AFC's Callum Robinson made a good save to deny Adam Hampton.
Both sides made changes, as Callum Fuller departed the field for Callum Vincent for the hosts (66'), before Kane Gilbert replaced James Regan for Town (69').
The Yellows came close once again, as Callum Watson's excellent shot was tipped into the post by Fowler, and Callum Vincent attempted to slot it home, but the play was ruled out.
Ollie Peters continued to threaten the visitors as his effort from Watson's long throw was blocked, before Ben Hunter saw his chance blocked from McKenzie's delivery.
Town's final change saw Harry Salter replace Tyler Kemp in the 80th minute.
Neither side looked to give up, as Callum Vincent's long range effort flew over the crossbar, while Karl Andrade's free-kick was struck narrowly wide of Callum Robinson's goal.
However, the visitors struck late on to win the match, as Nick Wilderspin set up substitute Kane Gilbert, who turned past his man and slotted in the bottom corner.
Further substitutions were made by AFC with Oliver Gravetti and Tom Maycock picking up some game time, after replacing Ben Hammett and Ben Hunter.
The Yellows looked to draw level in the closing stages, but the visitors held on for their win.
Full-time: AFC Sudbury Res 1 Halstead Town 2
AFC Sudbury: Callum Robinson, Ben Hammett (Tom Maycock, 89'), Kane Munday, Tom Dettmar, Sam Mills, Baris Altintop, Ben Hunter (Oliver Gravetti, 89'), Callum Watson, Callum Fuller (Callum Vincent, 69'), Mekhi Mckenzie, Ollie Peters. Unused Sub: Mitchell Potter.
Halstead: Joe Fowler, Jordan Hutchings (Nick Miller, 66'), Marcus Warren, Nick Wilderspin, Ash Drew, Jack Shelvis, Jamie Baker, Tyler Kemp (Harry Salter, 79'), Adam Hampson, Karl Andrade, James Regan (Kane Gilbert, 69'). Unused Sub: Lewis Cunliffe.