Manager Matt Henman praised his Dereham Town side after seeing them hit for six by Ridgeons Premier Division leaders Leiston, insisting the score was not a true reflection of the game.

Manager Matt Henman praised his Dereham Town side after seeing them hit for six by Ridgeons Premier Division leaders Leiston, insisting the score was not a true reflection of the game.

Looking bck on the 6-1 result, he said: 'It looks like it was a real drubbing, but it was an unrealistic scoreline.

'I was really, really pleased with the first-half performance - we made a good side look quite ordinary.

'It's probably the best we have played for a few weeks, but we didn't take our chances and they scored at crucial times.

'I feel for the lads because they gave their all. We have played worse then that and won games.'

The Magpies had been hoping to kick-start a good run of league results as they had beaten their Saturday visitors in the FA Cup earlier this season.

It was a club record for Leiston of eight successive wins.

They scored through Neil Calver with two headed goals, a superb 30-yard drive by Paul Hart, Lee McGlone latched onto a keeper's clearance, then Hart scored again from close range.

Dereham scored a penalty through Danny Beaumont before McGlone completed the scoring in the 89th minute.

The Magpies, with two wins and six defeats in their last eight league games and in 12th place, visit fourth-placed CRC on Saturday then entertain sixth-bottom Wisbech on Tuesday night (7.45pm at Aldiss Park).

On Saturday, Dereham Reserves entertain Woodbridge Reserves in their Ridgeons section in which they are second with five wins from five games to date.

Tonight, Dereham Youth are at Wroxham in their Ridgeons section where they have won their only game played so far.