Dereham Town 2, Needham Market 2A GOAL four minutes from time denied the Magpies a Ridgeons Premier win on Saturday.Dereham were looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat, but it was Needham who threatened first with full-back Pemberton flashing a low centre from the right across the home goal, writes Rene Kendal.

Dereham Town 2, Needham Market 2

A GOAL four minutes from time denied the Magpies a Ridgeons Premier win on Saturday.

Dereham were looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat, but it was Needham who threatened first with full-back Pemberton flashing a low centre from the right across the home goal, writes Rene Kendal.

The visitors won two fruitless corners for a good move down the right involving Olly Willis, Howell and Barrett that ended with Bacon's cross being intercepted by defender Bailey.

In the 15th minute Smith was upended on the edge of the Needham box but Beaumont's free-kick was headed clear. Buhlemann was penalised following a challenge just outside the box with Holock's free-kick cannoning off the home wall.

Dereham nearly went in front with Sam Willis delivering a superb low cross from the right that Barrett just failed to stab home in the 25th minute.

Minutes later Garner found Barrett, who worked a neat one-two with Bacon on the left, his well-struck drive being well saved by keeper Jones.

The Magpies were asking the questions and the same pair combined in the 33rd minute with Bacon picking out Graham Barrett from the right byline allowing the home skipper to drill home a low drive.

Within minutes the visitors were level, with Bexfield winning a challenge and the ball falling to Tom Smith who slotted home.

However things soon turned sour for the Needham striker when, after already getting away with two poor tackles, he received a straight red card for a lunging challenge on Olly Willis.

Shortly before half-time Dereham had what looked like a clear penalty appeal for hands turned down.

The Magpies came within inches of netting soon after the break with Beaumont racing clear before having his attempted chip pushed upwards and backwards by keeper Jones, with defender Bailey making a vital goal-line clearance.

Dereham's Ollie Willis gained possession in mid-field and progressed into the box before beating Jones with a low left-foot drive to put the Magpies in front in the 60th minute.

Defender Bulehmann struck a 30-yard effort wide before Smith glanced a centre wide after Ollie Willis had caused problems again for the Suffolk side. As the pressure continued, Jones made a smart save from Beaumont.

It was now one-way traffic with Ollie Willis side-footing over the top from 20 yards. In the 70th minute, Jones made another fine stop to keep out Howell's firm shot following Sam Willis's precise pass.

In a rare Needham attack, a ball from the right eluded Ollie Willis but Bexfield fired wide. Dereham won a corner on the right in the 83rd minute. Garner's flag kick was stabbed goalward by Smith with defender Pemberton looking to clear the ball from behind the line. However, the home team's protests were ignored by both the referee and linesman.

The Magpies were well on top but Needham equalised in the 86th minute when Rhys Barber powerfully headed home at the far post following Smy's deep centre from the right.

Dereham had plenty of opportunities to win the game but had to settle for just a point.

Dereham: J Higgs, O Willis, S Garner, D Buhlemann, J Eastoe-Smith, D Beaumont, N Howell, A Smith, C Bacon, G Barrett, S Willis. Subs: P Atkins, B Furlong, J Brien, N Simmons, S Thaxton.