Dereham Town have found themselves in the relegation play-offs as their final league game of the season ended in defeat.

The Magpies were beaten 6-1 in the Northern Premier League - Midlands Division by Harborough Town. 

The game started with teams both having chances, with Luke Johnson seeing his cross cleared, while Rhys Hoenes blazed off target for the host. 

The Magpies broke the deadlock as Henman-Mason’s cross was picked up by Swift who drilled a low drive through a group of players and Matt Blake got the final touch to put Dereham in front in the 25th minute. 

Dereham Times: Dereham Town goalkeeper Ross BilhamDereham Town goalkeeper Ross Bilham (Image: Dereham Town FC)

The visitors' goal came under threat, first there was an anxious moment as Magpies' defender Finn Steele headed onto the underside of his own bar. The visiting keeper then made a smart save from Rhys Kelly. 

11 minutes later, Ben Williams equalised. 

On half-time, Paul Malone powerfully headed home to put Harborough ahead.

The Norfolk side started the second half brightly as Johnson blazed over from an acute angle as Dereham pressed.

Dereham Times: Dereham will have to play a relegation play-off match at Aldiss Park on April 29, with its opponent set to be confirmed this week. Dereham will have to play a relegation play-off match at Aldiss Park on April 29, with its opponent set to be confirmed this week. (Image: Dereham Town FC)

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Dereham felt they should’ve had a penalty after Blake was pulled down in the box, but nothing was given. Harborough then immediately broke and Joel Carta drilled home a 20-yard drive to extend the lead in the 65th minute. 

The home side added a fourth, and then Dylan Hill volleyed a well-stuck diagonal volley in the 68th minute.  Harborough scored another when defender Kelly strode forward and fed Joel Carta, who converted his second in the 78th minute. 

Home substitute Dodzi Agbenu completed the rout for the home side when he fired home a powerful 20-yard drive in the 89th minute. 

Dereham will have to play a relegation play-off match at Aldiss Park on April 29, with its opponent set to be confirmed this week. With the winner playing in the division next year. 

You can read all of Dereham’s match reports here.