Dereham Town FC went down 0-1 to Corby in their home-ground game at Aldiss Park on Saturday. 

A first-half goal by ex-Mapgie Toby Hilliard won play-off chasing Corby the match.

Play was open in the first ten minutes without any chances being created. In the 13th minute Louis Henman-Mason played a long ball through to Charlie Clarke who beat the visitor's offside trap but keeper Thomas Bukowski raced from his line to clear.

Minutes later, Kia Thurston put Luke Johnson away, and he progressed before having his attempted chip saved by Bukowski.

Corby had their first-half chance in the 21st minute, with Harry Thomas slicing wide from the edge of the box. Both sides continued to work hard without linking in the final third. 

In the 33rd minute, Corby’s Ben Scoult played a give-and-go with Toby Hilliard and fired over from 25 yards.

They then reversed roles, with Scoult playing a short pass to Toby Hilliard in the box, who slotted home to put Corby in front in the 35th minute. As the visitors threatened again, Tsaguim Florin had a close-range effort deflected for a corner. Corby had a slender lead at the break. 

Oli Yun flicked onto Johnson, who hit a long-range drive that was saved as the second half commenced. He soon had another run on goal, testing Corby keeper Bukowski with a low diagonal drive that he turned round the post.

The Magpies won a corner on the left in the 53rd minute. Skipper Dion Frary moved in front of his man well to head Danno White’s centre onto the bar.

As the pressure relented, Kia Thurston made a strong run into the Steelmen’s area.

As play switched ends, Corby won a free kick outside the box. Tristan Thompson fired into Dereham keeper Ross Bilham’s arms.

The home side remained competitive, with Thurston outstanding in midfield. In the 77th minute, Dereham produced a flowing five-man move, but Johnson failed to pull the trigger on the edge of the box.

White delivered a dangerous free kick into the visitors' box, which no home player read. On time, Johnson just failed to connect with Jaydyn Lott’s deep ball from the right.

In added time, Dereham forced a corner, but Corby cleared their lines and as the home side failed to find the net once more.