CROMER travelled to Greens Road to face local rivals North Walsham and came away with a hard-fought victory thanks to a solitary second-half striker from Tom Davies.

CROMER travelled to Greens Road to face local rivals North Walsham and came away with a hard-fought victory thanks to a solitary second-half striker from Tom Davies.

The home side were with the wind in the first half but rarely threatened the Cromer goal.

Their only chance came on 26 minutes when a corner from the right went to Darren Miller at the front post and he headed towards the top corner.

The ball seemed certain to hit the net but from nowhere a diving Stuart Parsons pushed the ball over the bar.

The Crabs' only chance came in first half added time when Danny Brown crossed to Tom Davies, but a stretching Davies couldn't guide the ball towards the goal.

The second half was a bit more open and in the opening minute Cromer's David Harwood looked to use the wind to test the North Walsham keeper with three shots from outside the box.

On 55 minutes, Cromer scored the only goal of the game.

A corner from the right was headed down by Paul Bradshaw and Davies then nodded the ball over the line from close range.

Scott Woodcock had a great chance to bring the scores back level when he used his pace to break through the Crabs' defence, but he was denied by another brilliant save from keeper Parsons.

Harwood's low cross went to Jamie Hunton but he fired over.

In the 75th minute, David Hinton broke down the right wing before crossing into the centre to Craig Knowles, who had time and space, but Parsons again did superbly and kept out Knowles' shot with his feet.

Cromer had a couple of late chances to secure the points.

Hunton crossed to Brown but his header was kept out by a fingertip save from Richard Kellett.

Simon Durrant then got possession of the loose ball but this shot went right across the face of goal.

North Walsham had one last opportunity to take a point but Hinton was just off target with his effort.

It was a second victory in a row for the Crabs who look firm favourites for the runners-up spot.

Chris Wigger should have a full squad to select from as they look for a winning run in the final weeks.

Cromer still have a lot of points to play for and if they continue picking up three points there could still be a late twist in the race for the Sterry Cup.