Dereham Town FC gained another three points in front of a good crowd at Aldiss Park with a victory over Long Melford.

In the 11th minute, Charlie Clarke received Logan’s pass and switched play to Sweeney who progressed before having his cross handled in the box to win the Magpies a penalty.

Brad Spooner beat Melford keeper Matt Walker with a well-struck low drive from the spot to put the Magpies in front in the 12th minute.

Dereham was gifted the ball by Deklyn Roy which allowed Spooner space outside the box to manoeuvre and hit a 20-yard drive that was blocked by a defender.

Play was continually broken until Dereham increased their lead in the 40th minute. 

Home keeper Tom Coombe picked out Logan on the right with a long clearance, and he displayed a class touch to control and move inside his marker before progressing and slipping a perfectly weighted pass through to Brad Spooner, who fired home from 12 yards. 

Dereham had a two-goal interval lead.

Harvey Gilham combined with Clarke to put Spooner in at the start of the second half, and he fired into Walker’s arms.

Melford’s Harry Brown found space on the home left and crossed into the danger area, but Coombe claimed his centre.

The home keeper then claimed a corner from the left with good hands.

As the visitors attacked down the left again, skipper Chris Skipper headed clear before Ben Humphreys volleyed over as the Melford pressure continued.

Harry Whiting-Woakes came close with a long-distance effort before Sam Watts made a timely block from Fred Dende.

Melford reduced the deficit in the 67th minute. The visitors won a free kick on the right and Deklyn Roy netted unchallenged from close range.

Dereham immediately restored their two-goal advantage.

Logan put Spooner in on goal and keeper Walker saved well, but Robbie Sweeney was on hand to pounce from close range in the 70th minute.

Joe Gascoigne won the ball and found Sweeney, who progressed and hit a goal-bound 20-yarder that forced Walker into a fine save.

Gilham glanced a header wide from the corner. 

Dereham was the better side throughout and always on top. 

Match report by Rene Kendal