Dereham Town have been told they are still short of producing their dazzling best, writes Rene Kendal.

The improving Magpies have won plenty of plaudits in recent times for the free-flowing football that has seen them climb up the non-league ladder and become an established Ryman League North club. So boss Matt Henman – despite seeing his side go three games unbeaten, comfortably their best run so far during their slow start to the term – is looking for a better display than they produced during Tuesday's 1-1 draw against in-form Bury Town when they welcome struggling Waltham Abbey this afternoon.

The Magpies' manager said: 'I thought the first half against Bury was an even affair.

'We were sloppy in possession but had two good chances to be ahead at the break. We missed a one-on-one with their keeper and hit their bar twice. In the second half we were not ourselves. We were not good enough in possession and were fortunate to only be one goal down. However, we did enough to keep it to one and took advantage of the late penalty.

'Going forward we must play better than we did on Tuesday.'

Luke Tuttle's late spot-kick moved Dereham onto 11 points from their eight league matches so far.