Peter Hinde's 41st minute goal proved the difference but Rovers were much-improved after the break and were unlucky not to level when Paul Jenkin and Ryan Kent both hit the frame of the goal in quick succession.

The defeat left Haverhill rooted to the bottom of the table with four points from nine matches and facing a match at home to unbeaten league leaders Lowestoft Town.

Haverhill struggled to defend Ben Lawrence's monstrous throws in the early stages but escaped without Ely creating too many clear-cut chances.

But when Jamie Alsop's cross reached Andy Pettit, Rovers escaped as the latter could only direct his header against the crossbar.

Despite City's first half dominance the best chance of the opening 40 minutes fell to Paul Jenkin.

After being released by Jim Hollingsworth, Jenkin could only clip the ball over goalkeeper Lee Pacey and wide of the left post.

That miss proved costly in the 41st minute when Ely took the lead.

Rovers keeper Ed Campbell did brilliantly to deny Richard Chadwick and Peter Hinde in quick succession but could do nothing as Hinde followed up to tuck home Ely's third attempt.

After the break Haverhill took more control of territory and were unlucky as Ryan Kent just struggled to escape Tony Brown's grasp and could only toe-poke the ball straight at Pacey as a result.

But the biggest pointer that it wouldn't be Rovers' night came in the 54th minute when Jenkin hit the foot of the right post and an off-balance Kent could only direct the rebound against the opposite upright.

Halls forced Pacey into a sprawling save while Campbell did well to deny Ely at the other end.

When Campbell was rounded by Pettit, man of the match Hollingsworth put in a goal-saving tackle.

Kent sent a rasping drive over the bar seven minutes from time as Haverhill failed to gain a point.

ECHO MAN OF THE MATCH: Jim Hollings-worth.

ROVERS (4-5-1): Campbell; Hammond (P Abbott 86), Hollingsworth (Holmes 86), Thomas (c), Newnes; Halls, Robertson (Crawley 73), Elkins, Challis, Kent; Jenkin.

STATS: Shots on target ELY 12 ROV 2, shots off target ELY 8 ROV 2, woodwork ELY 1 ROV 2, corners ELY 8 ROV 5, bookings ELY 1 (Hinde) ROV 0, red cards ELY 0 ROV 0. Attendance 85.