Dereham Town, following the weekend's defeat at fellow Ridgeons Premier top-six rivals Kirkley & Pakefield, have a blank weekend and next play at Stanway Rovers in the league on March 1.

Dereham Town, following the weekend's defeat at fellow Ridgeons Premier top-six rivals Kirkley & Pakefield, have a blank weekend and next play at Stanway Rovers in the league on March 1.

Dereham Reserves, needing to win most of their remaining games to earn promotion, visit Scole on Saturday in Dolphin Autos Anglian Combination Division One.

Kirkley & Pakefield 2, Dereham Town 1

The sides were level at half-time, each scoring a top-drawer goal, and K&P scored the deciding goal after 67 minutes, although the Magpies were denied by a fine late save.

Robbie Harris returned to the Magpies' side partnering Andy Moody up front, and with Ollie Willis unavailable skipper Adam Gusterson reverted to fullback, writes Rene Kendall.

In the fourth minute Terrington was allowed to travel deep into the Kirkley half before dragging a 20-yard drive wide.

After winning two corners that failed to trouble the home defence, Beaumont lifted the ball over the bar after receiving Moody's flick in the 13th minute.

Kirkley had their first shot in the 16th minute when Carter teed up Highfield on the edge of the box, but the defender's effort flew over the top.

Playing with the slope and wind in their favour Dereham continued to have most of the play without really testing Pauling in the home goal.

In the 27th minute Harris came close when his measured chip just cleared the bar. Beaumont then delivered a dangerous low cross to the near post which Pauling claimed while under pressure from Moody.

The match then was lit up by two fantastic goals. The Magpies took the lead in the 33rd minute with a brilliant strike. Beaumont won a throw in on the right and found Adam Gusterson.

The acting manager took one stride before planting a superb 35-yard left-foot volley beyond Pauling and into the roof of the net.

From the restart Kirkley immediately equalised when Nathan Stone unleashed an equally superb 25-yard drive.

K&P then won a free-kick 22 yards out. Keeper Marshall leapt backwards to tip Highfield's drive onto the bar for a stunning save, Blyth striking the bar from the rebound. Half time: Kirkley & Pakefield 1, Dereham 1.

The second half started competitively with Barrett having a 16-yard shot blocked following Harris's cross from the right.

Home keeper Pauling was injured after punching clear Terrington's free-kick but was able to continue. Kirkley won a flag-kick on the left but Marshall palmed Hunter's deep centre to safety in the 56th minute.

Dereham won a corner, but Pauling claimed as play remained open before the home side took the lead.

Marshall finger-tipped Blyth's chip behind for a corner. Hunter delivered the ball towards the penalty spot where the scorer Paul Highfield headed firmly home in the 67th minute.

West and Mann replaced Moody and Beaumont for the Magpies.

Dereham's final ball was letting them down as they searched for the equaliser.

Harris made a penetrating run but his pass was intercepted in the 86th minute.

Marshall lost the ball just outside the box to Stone whose goal-bound effort was headed off the line by Garner.

Harris produced a fine run down the left with his cross being cleared before West struck a firm shot over the bar.

On time, Kirkley's Stone was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Then in added time Harris's shot was diverted goalward by Cullington with Pauling making a great save to ensure Kirkley & Pakefield's win.

Dereham: S Marshall, A Gusterson, S Garner, D Cullington, J Wilson, C Anselin, D Beaumont, A Moody, R Harris, G Barrett, C Terrington. Subs: B Foley, G Mann, J Eastoe-Smith, C West, S Willis.