Felixstowe boss Stuart Boardley remains defiant despite losing his only recognised goalkeeper ahead of their Suffolk Premier Cup final against heavy favourites Needham Market on Tuesday.

Josh Blunkell, who has kept seven clean sheets since joining on loan from Braintree in January, was forced off with suspected broken ribs 10 minutes from time in the Seasiders' 1-0 Isthmian North win over a very physical Witham Town at the AGL.

Noel Aitens left, red carded, Josh Blunkell forced off with injury (Picture: Sefan Peck)

Josh Hitter went in goal, did well by making a couple of key saves, to secure the win for Felixstowe, after Zak Brown's winner.

Felixstowe lost Noel Aitkens to a red card following two yellows, the first after getting involved with Witham's " who was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.

Felixstowe are currently third in the table and guaranteed a play off spot.

Of immediate concern is Tuesday's cup final at Bury Town's Ram Meadow, with Boardley admitting they could get hammered by Needham, that have just won promotion to the National League North, but warned his side would still be looking for a way to spring a surprise.

"It is about us now finding different ways of winning and we did that today," Boardley told the club website. "We will pick ourselves up and It may kick start us.

"We will get Josh some extra goalkeeping practice and he will don the gloves on Tuesday."

Josh Hitter could well be in goal for cup final (Picture: Sefan Peck)

Boardley sees the setback as just another in a series of hurdles ahead of the cup final.

He said: "Everything else has gone against us with other teams choosing the date and venue to the cup final and deciding which players can or can't play. We might as well have no goalkeeper as well."

But Boardley has not completely given up and added: "When we have our backs to the wall that is when we are at our best.

"Needham could win by six and we carry on in the league, but you never know."