Mark Hunter's first ever hat-trick helped Dereham avenge their 6-0 defeat to Chelmsford earlier in the season as they beat the Essex side 3-1 at home on Saturday.
The centre back opened the scoring from a penalty flick as Dereham held a 1-0 lead at half-time. After the break, Dereham keeper Tom Vaughan was adjudged to have impeded a Chelmsford striker and the visitors converted the penalty stroke.
Dereham were then awarded the third penalty stroke of the match, following a foul on Will Edwards. Hunter powerfully dispatched the flick into the same corner as his first effort.
The hosts made the game safe from a penalty corner as Hunter flicked the ball low into the bottom corner to complete his treble.
Norwich City are now three points adrift at the bottom after their 4-1 defeat at home to Cambridge City.
Jim Pallister was the goalscorer for City.
Norwich Dragons' challenge at the top of Division 2N faltered with a 3-1 defeat at home to Sudbury.
The visitors took the lead in the first minute and doubled their advantage midway through the first half from a penalty corner. A breakaway goal handed Sudbury their third before Dragons finished strongly, with man-of-the-match Ben Miles beating two defenders to fire in for the hosts.
Norwich City IV remain third in Division 4NE after beating bottom side Ipswich IV 4-0, with goals from Tim Armstrong (2), Tim Crane and Mike Marrison.
City's fifth team recorded their fourth league win of the season as they beat Harleston Magpies VI 2-0 courtesy of goals from John Huntington and Tim Armstrong.
Runaway Division 6NE leaders Norwich Dragons III were 3-0 winners at home to Norfolk Nomads. Alan Quinton scored twice and Adrian Kemp was also on target.
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