AFC travelled to North Road to take on a Brightlingsea side that caused them problems each time they met last season in the Ryman North.
Sudbury Manager Jamie Godbold, was missing a number of regulars, with Luke Callander and Sam Clarke ‘rested’ and Jack Wilkinson and Ben Robinson, injured, and Marcus Garnham also absent.
Early on Garnham’s deputy Callum Robinson had to be alert as he came out to block a home attack. Ryan Henshaw took a knock and received treatment that enabled him to continue.
Liam Wales energetically playing up from appealed for a penalty but it was waved away.
On thirty-eight minutes the home side went in front courtesy of an own goal. The ball was crossed into the box and the ball struck the unfortunate Danny Cunningham (pictured) and went in the AFC net.
Half Time; - Brightlingsea Regent 1 AFC Sudbury 0
No changes for AFC after the interval as they went looking for an equaliser.
It was however the home side that scored the next goal. A corner came in and from close range Tom Richardson stabbed the ball home.
AFC were not down and out and pulled a goal back from a well-worked corner routine. Sam Bantick took the kick and the ball found its way to Danny Cunningham who drilled it home from fully twenty yards.
Jack Newman and Cunningham were replaced by two of AFC’s Academy youngsters, and shortly afterwards Wales left to be replaced by another.
Time ran out for AFC as they fell to a narrow defeat.
AFC;- Callum Robinson, Danny Cunningham, Adam Tann, Ryan Henshaw, Jack Newman Craig Parker, James Baker, Liam Wales, Rob Eagle, Sam Bantick and Jordan Blackwell