Dereham conceded three times after the break to crash to a disappointing defeat, writes Rene Kendal.

The home side, aided by the breeze, made the better start to a first half which saw the Magpies show their resilient side. In the 10th minute Dereham's Dion Frary was carded for upending George Purcell. The home striker drilled the resulting free-kick into the wall before Joey May's deflected 20-yarder flew inches wide.

As Hornchurch pressed again Purcell turned sharply on the edge of the box and struck a goal-bound low drive that forced keeper Will Viner into a brilliant save with 22 minutes on the clock. Purcell wasted another set-piece before blasting over the top at the far post following Nathan Cooper's flick.

Soon after the restart Dereham's Ryan Crisp – who forced Sam Mott into a good save – made a vital goal-line clearance from Cooper's header following May's corner. In the 54th minute Hornchurch's Tobi Joseph won the ball from Frazer Blake-Tracy and strode forward before scoring with a low drive.

Two minutes later Joseph netted his second when he guided home David Knight's ball from the right. Luke Tuttle came close to reducing the deficit in the 73rd minute with keeper Mott diving to his right to save his 20-yarder.

Dereham failed to clear their lines following a ball from the right, allowing Dave Collis to strike a firm drive that entered the net via a post to put the game beyond doubt in the 80th minute. Home keeper Mott made two good saves to deny Rhys Logan and Payton Swatman. On time, Lewis Butcher failed to convert Logan's cross from the right from close range to complete a miserable afternoon for the Magpies.