Dereham Town fell to defeat in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division as they lost 3-0 at home to Halesowen Town on Saturday.
The Magpies came into the game off the back of a 2-1 win away from home, but were unable to make it back-to-back wins.
The home side defended against the wind and had to deal with chances as Jak Hickam was unable to score at close range, forcing Dereham to defend well in numbers.
The Magpies did create an opening through Luke Johnson, who worked space and found Finn Steele, but he got the ball stuck under his feet.
The away side kept pressing, as Kieran Donnelly forced a fine finger-tip save from Dereham’s Ross Bilham - as Dereham replied, with Johnson cutting in and forcing the away side’s keeper, Daniel Platt, to palm away at full stretch.
As the game moved towards half-time, Dereham was hit twice. As Richard Gregory’s shot was charged down, the ball fell to Simeon Corbourne who made no mistake from close range to put the visitors in front.
Then in first-half stoppage time, a challenge by Oli Yun in the box gave Halesowen a penalty. Richard Gregory drilled home the spot kick to extend the visitors' lead at the break.
Manager Tom Parke made a double change at half-time, as his side started well with Johnson and Ryan Swift both going close with well-hit shots.
However, in the 52nd minute, Swift gifted the ball to the visitors deep in the home box and was made to pay when Kieran Donnelly scored to increase Halesowen’s lead.
The Magpies tried to find a way back into the game, and created some half-chances, but could not pull one back despite battling until the end.
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