Mattishall 1, Dersingham Rovers 2MATTISHALL entertained Dersingham Rovers in an Anglian Combination Premier Division basement battle.Mattishall started the game the brightest and in the first minute the returning Edwards won the ball in midfield and fed Wooden, who fed Cole - but his effort lacked power to test the keeper.

Mattishall 1, Dersingham Rovers 2

MATTISHALL entertained Dersingham Rovers in an Anglian Combination Premier Division basement battle.

Mattishall started the game the brightest and in the first minute the returning Edwards won the ball in midfield and fed Wooden, who fed Cole - but his effort lacked power to test the keeper.

A Cole corner was cleared as far as Lewis whose crisp shot was smothered by Daniels the Rovers' keeper.

However despite Mattishall's dominance, Dersingham took the lead on 12 minutes in virtually their first attack.

Persistence by Jezeph and his desire to keep the ball ended with him toe-poking the ball into the net despite home keeper Pledger's effort to keep it out. The wet conditions contributed to the goal.

A long throw by Lewis saw the ball fall to Marczewski whose shot skimmed the top of the bar. On 23 minutes an excellent cross by Catchpole saw Cole flick the ball goalwards but the keeper made a save. However, from the next attack and in similar fashion, but from a Starling cross, Cole's flick beat the keeper to equalise.

On 27 minutes Mattishall so nearly took the lead when a drive from Edwards hit the underside of the bar and rebounded to safety. The game then became a midfield battle with chances at a premium.

The second half started with Mattishall making two changes as Hall and Knights replaced Marczewski and Lewis.

The pattern of the game continued in much the same fashion but again Rovers stole the lead on the hour when Tull reacted first to a loose ball as Mattishall backed off.

Although Mattishall had plenty of possession, there was a lack of quality in the final ball, and with the impressive English in the visitors' defence, they rarely looked like breaching the Dersingham rearguard.

As the game became stretched the visitors looked the more likely to score on the break.

Unless matters improve dramatically and Mattishall return to their early-season form, it could be a long, hard winter ahead.

Mattishall climbed out of the bottom two on Tuesday night after a 2-2 draw at Wroxham Reserves.

Mattishall Reserves visited South Walsham and for the third game in succession missed many chances and ended up drawing 1-1 (Hill).

This week's fixtures see both teams in cup action with the first teram at Spixworth and the Reserves at home to their counterparts from Brandon, both 1.30pm kick offs.