North Walsham 1 Beccles 3

Town were underdogs against a side that had won their last five games and despite a fine display, which saw them lead for much of the game, they ended up empty handed

Wheeler got his first start for the first team since signing from Aylsham while Davies also came in to support Broom up front. He was also making his first team debut after scoring for the reserves last week.

Despite the difficult surface Town played some excellent football at times and dominated the first half. Some of the home side's best moments came from C Skipper down the left hand side but it was the tackling and ball winning from Wheeler and D Skipper that stood out.

The work rate and effort could not be faulted and on 24 minutes Town got their due reward. They were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area and up stepped Broom to curl it left footed into the top corner. It was nothing short of what Walsham deserved and they went in at half-time a goal up.

The second half started with Beccles in the ascendancy but Town stood firm and led until the 65th minute. With the pitch deteriorating, free-kicks were being given away needlessly and one was committed just inside the Town half which Beccles lumped in to the box. With the ball travelling so far there should have been a clearance but Anthony Martin nipped in front of everyone and got the slightest of touches to take it past Murphy. This was tough on the home players and management as the team had played so well.

Town brought on Davis up front for Broom, who was struggling with a calf problem, and Joy for Scannell on the right hand side, but it was Beccles that struck again. With just 10 minutes to go another free kick was floated in and headed past Murphy and within minutes the away side had sealed victory with a third goal. Another needless free-kick was conceded and caused all sorts of problems in defence and with Murphy unable to claim the ball cleanly it was stabbed home from close range.

Town worked tirelessly until the end but couldn't get a second goal to put the visitors under pressure.

Manager Cork said: 'I'm gutted for the lads. It was a great performance and we could not fault the effort and determination of anyone. The first half was the best I had seen all season and if we play like that we will get plenty of points.'

The Reserves went down 3-0 away at Mulbarton who are top of Division Three. The A side lost on Friday night to East Ruston and the Sunday side lost to Dussindale 4-1, with Davis scoring the only goal.

On Saturday the first team are at home to Dersingham Rovers (3pm), the Reserves are at Hoveton (2pm), the A side are at Horning (2pm) and the Sunday side are without a fixture.