Norwich were left to reflect on a missed opportunity as they slipped to a narrow defeat at Beeston Hyrne on in a game they should have won.

Norwich were left to reflect on a missed opportunity as they slipped to a narrow defeat at Beeston Hyrne on in a game they should have won.

Having made a hash of the kick-off the hosts were immediately under pressure but to their great credit they defended superbly and kept their line intact.

A great break by centre Nick Austin relieved the pressure but not for long. Basic handling errors meant that Norwich were doing more than their fair share of defending.

A wonderful break-out of defence led by full back Jonny Wheater should have brought a try but the final pass did not go to hand. Norwich created at least two other chances which went begging and might have sown the game up by half-time.

On the half hour it was the visitors who drew first blood after laying siege to the Norwich line. Second row John Hickey crashed over on the short side but the conversion was missed. Norwich stormed back but could not get the score they needed with Rob Micklethwaite missing a difficult penalty attempt just before half- time.

Norwich started the second half as badly as they had the first.The visitors' scrum-half Chippy White, who was a thorn in Norwich's side all afternoon, made a break from the kick-off and Norwich were immediately on the back foot and defending again which again they did very well.

Having worked their way back almost to the halfway line Norwich scored a great try from a run by left winger Jack Acorn who went over in the left hand corner after another fine break by Wheater. The conversion was missed but the scores were level 5-5.

That situation was shortlived as Basildon centre Wilkinson got through some pretty poor tackling to score half way out. White missed the conversion.

Shortly afterwards Basildon had their hooker Craig Dockerill yellow carded for what looked like a punch on scrum-half Micklethwaite. Norwich were unable to take advantage and it was White who wrapped the game up for the visitors with two late penalties.

Norwich have to learn that in this league mistakes will be taken advantage of and that they must convert the chances they are creating.