Two second half goals ended Dereham's four game winning run at North Road.

Overnight rain made playing conditions difficult with both sides struggling in the opening exchanges on the sticky surface. In the 10th minute Harry Barker got in a dangerous low cross from the right which home keeper Andy Plummer claimed by his near post.

From their next attack Matt Hockley put Toby Hilliard en-route to goal with the striker being denied by a fine save from keeper Plummer to prevent his low drive from finding the net.

The Magpies threatened again as Ryan Hawkins raced clear of the home defence after receiving Michael Clunan's ball from just inside his own half.

However, after making good ground the forward lost control and the promising chance went begging.

Play continued to be open and Brightlingsea's Russell Malton was denied twice in the same attack with Hockley blocking his close range effort before Dan Morphew cleared his header from the loose ball off the line in the 40th minute.

After the goalless first half, Dereham keeper Andy Wilton did well to claim Jake Turner's deep free-kick and then Josh Gould's long range effort. Dereham responded with Clunan and Aaron Kay combining to set up Hawkins who forced 'keeper, Plummer, to palm aside his well struck shot on the turn in the 59th minute.

As play switched ends Brightlingsea's Russell Malton fired in a low 20 yard drive with Wilton springing to his left to save.

There continued to be little between the sides with Hockley in outstanding form for the Magpies.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 80th minute when Ricky Griggs slotted home a loose ball from close range following Gould's long throw into the box.

The home side soon increased their advantage after Dereham had lost possession in the centre of the pitch to Griggs who found Malton on the right of the area enabling him to fire home a low diagonal drive in the 83rd minute.

Dereham could not find a reply with Griggs going close to netting again for the hosts in added time with his long range free-kick.

Brightlingsea: A Plummer, R Griggs, Josh Gould, J Turner, W Joseph, M Crispps, R Malton, O Canfer, J Heath, S Bartlett, B Newsonq. Subs: D Joyce, A Berkane, Jake Gould, T Amass, J Holman.

Dereham: A Wilton, H Barker, F Blake-Tracy, M Hockley, M Howard, D Morphew, A Kay, M Clunan, T Hilliard, S Borrer, R Hawkins. Subs: C Bussens, N Page, L Sturman.

Referee: C Pullen

Attendance: 136