Fakenham Town – struggling at the bottom of the Premier Division table and without a manager – were one of the few local teams to emerge from the weekend’s matches with any pride.

The Ghosts parted company with Robbie Harris in midweek, but were still able to grab only their fourth point of the campaign when they drew 0-0 at home to Long Melford.

Wroxham matched them by drawing 1-1 at FC Clacton, Robbie Sweeney getting the Yachtsmen’s equaliser, but for most of the rest it was a miserable weekend.

Thetford Town suffered more than most – they were thumped 7-1 at home by Stowmarket, with Andrew Wood getting their goal in the final minute. The Brecklanders had Ryan Sanders sent off four minutes from half-time with the score 4-0, while Stowmarket were reduced to 10 in the 71st minute, by which time it was 7-0.

Great Yarmouth Town, missing a clutch of first-teamers, were beaten 2-0 at high-flying Coggeshall. Yarmouth’s resilience was broken by two goals in the final 30 minutes.

Joint manager Adam Mason said: “With injuries hitting the squad hard it’s fair to say we set up for a draw. We frustrated them and hoped to get something on the counter-attack. They are a good side and it took an unstoppable shot long-range effort to beat us. Naturally at that point we changed our stance to go in search of an equaliser and they opened us up. We are pleased with the work-rate applied and the improved individual performances.”

Neighbours Gorleston were beaten 4-3 at home by Newmarket Town.

The Greens went ahead after four minutes through Connor Ingram and doubled their lead two minutes later when Peter Lambert scored.

The visitors pulled one back on 16 minutes through Steve Spriggs and four minutes later it was all square when Lloyd Groves headed home. The visitors went ahead on the stroke of half-time through Austen Diaper but soon after the hour mark it was 3-3, with Connor Deeks on target.

But then came the controversy as keeper Taurean Molloy was knocked over his line by a challenge by Chris Bacon and made his feelings known – earning him a red card. With Gary Ingram going in goal, Gorleston did an excellent job of keeping the visitors at bay, but with a minute to go came the sucker punch as sub Steve Holder nodded home a winner.

Kirkley & Pakefield went down 3-1 at Ely City, having taken an early lead through a Jack Herbert header.

In the First Division, King’s Lynn Town Reserves went top after a 3-2 home win over Diss Town. Dylan Edge (2) and Harry Whayman got Lynn’s goals.

Swaffham had Luke Reed sent off as they drew 3-3 at Cornard, Alex Vincent scoring twice to level it at 2-2 before the hosts went down to 10 men. Cornard took the lead again with a penalty, but Vincent completed his hat-trick and earned a good away point.

Downham Town drew 1-1 at Little Oakley and Norwich United were held 1-1 at home by March Town. Norwich CBS lost 3-2 at Debenham LC.