WROXHAM Reserves are on the verge of becoming an irresistible force in this season's Sterry Cup campaign.They were involved in one of the only two Anglian Combination Premier fixtures that went ahead and achieved a vital 2-1 over their hosts Cromer Town to hoist Mark Wilkinsons's merry men a massive 15 points clear of their nearest challengers.

WROXHAM Reserves are on the verge of becoming an irresistible force in this season's Sterry Cup campaign.

They were involved in one of the only two Anglian Combination Premier fixtures that went ahead and achieved a vital 2-1 over their hosts Cromer Town to hoist Mark Wilkinsons's merry men a massive 15 points clear of their nearest challengers.

With the kick-off put back an hour to allow Cabbell Park to absorb a bit more moisture, the floodlights came on to illuminate another hard-working, inter-passing display by Wroxham's teenage terrors.

In fairness to Cromer they matched the workrate of their visitors, and but for the luckless Simon Durrant heading the winning 89th minute goal into his own net while hoping to clear Bradley Hoffman's vicious swinging cross, honours would have been shared.

Wroxham striker Paul Cook got his name on the scoresheet in the 25th minute via home keeper Parsons' woodwork following pin-ball play inside the penalty box.

Tom Davis stamped his authority on the game with a well-earned equaliser before the break, and until Durrants' gift for the visitors a point apiece seemed an equitable outcome.

“It was just that bit of luck we needed from this important confrontation,” admitted manager Wilkinson, who accepted that the game had draw written all over it until that last-minute blunder.

“We accept we have one hand on the Sterry Cup, but rather than get complacent we have to maintain the momentum and keep up our non-stop tempo for our remaining 10 games,” he accepted.

Cromer's team manager Chris Wigger agreed that a draw would have been a just result, but insisted that anything less than his target of three points from the game were inadequate to keep the Crabs on course for a realistic title challenge.

“I said before the game that we had four in hand over Wroxham and we needed to convert all of them into points to have a chance. We are now 17 points off, but are not giving up the chase,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sheringham have sneaked up into the top four after beating Lowestoft Reserves 1-0 courtesy of a Roy Bevis goal. That left the Shannocks in fourth spot level on points, with Blofield and Norwich Union both with a superior goal difference - although the coastal squad have two games in hand on the leaders.

“I think we are on course to make runners-up spot if we can keep up this winning sequence,” declared Shannocks' manager John Kowalyk. “But after our Norfolk Senior Cup semi-final at Dereham we then face three difficult league games against Hempnall, Norwich Union and Blofield.”

Wroxham Reserves, Cromer and Sheringham are excused duties this Saturday while making way for the Anglian Combination representatives' quarter-final against the Midland Combination in the National League System Cup at Wroxham's Trafford Park (kick-off 2.30pm).

Team manager Terry Beane has selected a number of top North Norfolk players including Thomas Nicholls (Stalham), Paul Bradshaw, Sean Cameron, David Harwood, Ryan Honeyman, Neil Bugdale (Cromer Town), Kristian Gleave, Steve Jordan (Sheringham).

In the Norfolk Junior Cup replay, Reepham crashed out 3-1 to Swaffham Reserves. The only other local fixture to go ahead ended CEYMS Reserves 3, Aylsham Wanderers Reserves 1.

In the Premier Division on Saturday, North Walsham entertain Halvergate while in Division One, Holt are at home to Wymondham Town.

In Division Two, Aylsham Wanderers and Reepham are both at home respectively to Bungay Town and Poringland while Hoveton are away to Hellesdon Reserves.