Dereham Town produced a magnificent team performance in a 3-0 home win over AFC Sudbury that almost certainly ensures their Bostik North survival.
The Magpies have climbed to the heady heights of 14th, 15 points ahead of the expected relegation zone with five games to play – a remarkable turnaround given they were rock bottom when Adam Gusterson and Olly Willis took over early in January.
In a hectic opening, Callum Harrison fired a free-kick wide for the visitors and Thomas Dettmar headed off target while Dereham's David Hinton was stopped in his tracks as he looked to pull the trigger.
Defences continued to dominate before Adam Hipperson tested Sudbury keeper Paul Walker with a long-range effort that he managed to grasp.
Sudbury launched a quick break from a Dereham corner with home keeper Elliot Pride racing outside his area to clear.
Dereham made the breakthrough five minutes after the break when Hinton's run was picked out by Shaun Wones' excellent long ball and the home skipper sprinted into the box and lobbed the keeper.
The Magpies' good work was rewarded in the 68th minute when Rhys Logan drilled home a fine left-foot drive after his initial effort was blocked.
Joe Gatting then found space on the edge of the box but curled his effort wide before Dereham secured the points when Wones climbed well to power home a header from Rhys Logan's corner on the right in the 86th minute.
Eastern Counties League
Norwich United recorded their fourth consecutive victory with a 3-1 win at Newmarket Town to propel them into the top half of the Premier League table. The Planters took a sixth minute lead, Jordan Forbes' cross prodded home at the far post by Finlay Barnes. The Jockeys were level four minutes later, Blake Kicks heading home a deflected cross.
The Planters pushed hard with Liam Jackson twice denied by keeper Alex Archer and seeing another shot come back out after hitting both posts. Haydn Davis was also denied by the impressive Archer.
With 10 minutes left, Sam Applegate curled a delightful shot into the top corner and Ben Fowkes made sure of the points three minutes from time when he drove into the area before slotting home.
There were meagre pickings elsewhere in the Premier Division, with second-bottom Great Yarmouth Town putting up a good fight before going down 4-2 at champions-elect Histon.
Joel Glover and Aaron Sanders scored for the Bloaters, but salt was rubbed into their wounds by the result from FC Clacton, where bottom side Framlingham won 4-1,
Yarmouth's joint manager Adam Mason said: 'Having to go to the league leaders with three regulars missing and five youth team lads was never going to be easy, but I was pleased with the effort the lads produced today. A couple of their goals were avoidable and at 1-1 and then 3-2 late on, we showed some character. I've said before we shouldn't be getting too excited about winning games or too down about losing at this stage as this is going down to the wire. It's tight at the bottom and our position is swinging from safe to unsafe week in, week out. Some of the characteristics we showed today will be required right up to the final whistle of the season.'
Gorleston lost 1-0 at home to Hadleigh while Thetford Town went down 4-1 at home to Woodbridge Town, who moves up to second in the table.
The league's leading scorer, Valter Rocha, had put Thetford ahead in the 12th minute with his 25th of the season.
In the First Division North, leaders Harleston were 5-1 home winners over Haverhill Borough, moving seven points clear of Mulbarton, who were without a game. Third-placed Swaffham are a point further back after beating Diss 4-0, with goals from Luke Reed, Ben Coe (2) and Danny Tindell.
Anglian Combination
Sheringham moved into pole position in the Premier Division after Dale Wilton's goal secured a home win over Waveney – and morning leaders Caister lost 2-1 at home to Long Stratton. Sam Page and James Daniel scored the goals which leaves Caister two points behind, with the Shannocks having a game in hand. Jordan Stanton scored Caister's goal.
There were plenty of goals at Mattishall, where visiting Wymondham were beaten 6-2. Xavier Huckle helped himself to four goals, with Louis Hart and Tiago Pascoal also on the scoresheet. Liam Moriarty scored both Wymondham goals.
Norwich Ceyms were held 1-1 at Wroxham Reserves. Bradley Mitchell scored for the Yachtsmen with Kel Hayward on target for the visitors.
Kailum D'eath (2), Connor Wright and Connor Simpson got the goals which earned Hellesdon a 4-0 win over bottom club Norwich United Under 21s.
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