Cromer travelled to second-placed Beccles knowing that a victory would put them at least three points clear at the top of the table. They achieved it with a 1-0 win.

Cromer travelled to second-placed Beccles knowing that a victory would put them at least three points clear at the top of the table.

They achieved it with a 1-0 win.

Due to various cup competitions taking place the game had no official linesman but this didn't have an impact on the result. Cromer named an unchanged team but James Marsh and Tom Davies came into the squad on the bench, writes Richard Cox.

Beccles knowing that a win for them would take them top came out of the blocks quickly and didn't allow Cromer to settle on the ball. Despite the possession they only had one real chance when Alan Remblance got the ball inside the Cromer box but under pressure from the defender and alert goalkeeping from Osborne kept the threat at bay.

The visitors began to have a bit more of the ball. Simon Durrant laid the ball to Matthew Eves but his shot was blocked. Cromer took the lead on 26 minutes when David Harwood fired a free-kick from the edge of the box, through the wall and into the goal. The Crabs went in at half-time with a lead.

Beccles started the second half like they did the first but Cromer's solid defence restricted the home side to long range efforts.

If there was going to be another goal it looked like it would be Cromer. Daniel Cable had easy saves to keep out Durrant's header and a shot from Eves. Eves was again a threat but his 20 yard shot took a slight deflection to go just wide of the post. Some excellent play down the Cromer left saw Jamie Hunton get behind the defence, he then squared the ball to Karl Horton whose cleanly struck shot was kept out by Cable. Paul Bradshaw had the last chance of the game when he headed over from a Tom Davies corner.

Another clean sheet for the Crabs who also maintained their unbeaten start in the league. This Saturday sees the short trip along the coast to neighbours Sheringham, kick-off 2.30pm.

The reserves progressed to the second round of the Junior Cup with a 5-4 win at home to Lacon Arms. Paul Winterbone grabbed two and there were goals for Paul Spruce, Ryan Walsh and Liam Walsh.