With Ridgeons Division One leaders Great Yarmouth not playing on Saturday, all the chasing teams gained ground on them.Second-placed Brantham could only manage a 1-0 win at bottom team Fakenham Town while Diss Town beat Ipswich Wanderers 3-2.
With Ridgeons Division One leaders Great Yarmouth not playing on Saturday, all the chasing teams gained ground on them.
Second-placed Brantham could only manage a 1-0 win at bottom team Fakenham Town while Diss Town beat Ipswich Wanderers 3-2.
The Tangerines fought back after twice being behind to snatch victory in the 82nd minute thanks to Xavier Huckle. Andy Moody had pulled Diss level both times, the second after Wanderers had a man sent off for a second foul in the 75th minute.
FC Clacton, in fourth, hosted Gorleston and pocketed the points with a 3-2 victory in controversial circumstances. It was a hugely frustrating game for Gorleston, who had been hoping to gain revenge for Clacton's win over them four days before in the League Cup.
Gorleston twice went ahead - through Chris Sandford and Peter Lambert but the seasiders levelled both times then gained a controversial penalty which they converted to win the game while the Greens were denied a late spot-kick.
Assistant manager Alan Smith said: “It was a frustrating game, very disappointing. The general consensus was we were far and away the better team on the day.
“We took the lead then Clacton equalised with a controversial goal just before half-time. We took the lead for 2-1 then Clacton equalised with another controversial decision for a penalty. Then we were denied a penalty in the dying seconds.”
Gorleston dropped a place in Ridgeons Division One as a result of this game, to seventh but are buoyed by the fact that they have games in hand and won't have to play any of the top teams, apart from Brantham, in the remaining fixtures.
In other Division One results, Cornard United scored the only goal in the game against Team Bury. Halstead travelled to Downham Town and returned with a 3-1 win.
Hosts Saffron Walden Town were 1-0 winners over Stowmarket Town while Whitton United and visitors Long Melford drew 1-1.
Swaffham Town earned a well-deserved point with a 1-1 draw at home against March Town United.
Following the previous two disappointing matches, the team battled showing character and spirit to contribute to a fine performance by both teams.
March started strongly, forcing a good save by Lee Brooks in the fifth minute. After several attempts the Swaffham breakthrough came when David Spalding won the ball in midfield, played to Stuart Seales whose through-ball to Kyle Plumb was finished with a left-foot shot.
The Pedlars were unlucky not to get a second from an Andrew Hunter attempt but March equalised in the 81st minute from a back-post header following a free-kick.
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