Dereham Town are still setting the pace in the Ridgeons Premier Division despite Wroxham closing the gap with recent results.

On the cup front, the Magpies lost 1-0 at home to Wisbech on Tuesday night in the first round of the League Challenge Cup, the goal coming early in extra time.

After an evently-contested 90 minutes, the match was settled just two minutes after the re-start when Luke Kennedy netted from close range after a long ball from the back had caught out the Dereham defence.

On Saturday, star striker Danny Beaumont hit a hat-trick with Scott Roberts and Gary Starling completing the nap hand for the Magpies at lowly Felixstowe and Walton United, the score 5-0.

Dereham manager Matt Henman was pleased with the result, which he said was a timely one.

'It was important to win, having dropped a couple of points the week before and Wroxham breathing down our necks.

'It was a good all-round team performance. We're hoping to put another run of wins together in the next few weeks.'

It was 1-0 at half-time with Roberts netting then Beaumont got the next three – two from penalties – before Starling wrapped up a comprehensive win for the league leaders.

With Wroxham beating hosts Hadleigh 2-0, the gap remained two points between the Norfolk rivals, but Dereham have played two games fewer for their 42 points.

Third-placed Kirkley & Pakefield have 31 points from 19 games while CRC in fourth have 29 from 16.

On Saturday, the Magpies travel to sixth-bottom Brantham Athletic and on Tuesday night they host Norwich United in the league.

In the fourth round of the Norfolk Senior Cup, Dereham face a trip to Ridgeons Division One promotion contenders Gorleston.