Dereham lost their penultimate home game against play-off chasing Thurrock at Aldiss Park - and now face another tough fixture today at champions Brightlingsea Regent,

The Magpies, firmly entrenched in mid-table and playing just for pride, soon found themselves on the back foot on Saturday.

The visitors created the first chance in the 10th minute when Mark Onyemah threaded the ball through to Ronnie Winn, who hit a low drive that forced Josh Glover into a fine save. Minutes later Rhys Morgan played in Joe Christou who rounded Glover but Magpies skipper Daniel Morphew was on hand to clear his shot off the line.

Dereham then worked their way into the game and created a chance to take an interval lead when Adam Smith released Will Sainsbury-Logan with a measured pass but the young midfielder fired over. The visitors came out strongly after the break and skipper Richard Halle headed home Christou's ball from the right to put his side in front with 58 minutes gone.Dereham replied with substitute David Hinton's cross finding Danny Beaumont who hit a low 20 yard that forced Bobby Mason into a full length save.

However Thurrock increased their lead when two players who had just been introduced combined well. Michael Pindy sprinted forward into the box and chipped an inviting ball to Jack Barham who headed home at the far post in the 67th minute.

The Magpies reduced the deficit in the 71st minute when Smith spread play wide to Sainsbiry-Logan whose low drive was too hot for Mason to handle and Ryan Crisp was on hand to net the loose ball from close range. Thurrock restored their two goal cushion nine minutes later however, with Ronnie Winn netting with a left foot drive after Pindy's initial effort had rattled Glover's bar in the 80th minute.

The Magpies must now regroup for a clash with a Brightlingsea side who have won the league with something to spare and would pass 100 points with a win today

Dereham: J Glover, M Anodunde, O Humphrey (H Black 73), R Linford, R Frary, D Morphew, R Logan, A Smith (O Murphy 86),R Crisp, W Sainsbury-Logan (D Hinton 58), D Beaumont.Sub not used: V Costandachi.

Att: 185