The Premier Division's joint top scorer Matt Blake scored the vital goal for leaders Norwich United in a 1-0 win at Hadleigh United.

Blake's first-half strike proved decisive, leaving the Planters in need of just three wins from their last eight matches to wrap up the title.

Damian Hilton's side are now guaranteed to finish in the top two, with nearest challengers Godmanchester 14 points adrift, having played a game more.

Blake has now scored 28 goals in 30 league games, the same amount scored by Godmanchester's Thomas Meechan, although the Rovers striker has scored 44 in 40 matches in all competitions, ahead of Blake's 39 in 44.

At the other end of the table, Thetford took a big step towards securing survival after a 2-1 win at Wivenhoe, thanks to goals from James Pipe and Elliott Smith.

Wivenhoe occupy the final relegation spot at present but the Brecklanders are now seven points clear with five games to play.

Diss are 11 points adrift of safety and looking likely to be relegated though after losing 4-0 at home against Clacton, the team occupying the final safety position.

Fakenham made a good start to life after manager Wayne Anderson, who is heading for Dereham Town, with a 2-0 home win over mid-table rivals Whitton thanks to goals from Sam Garner and joint caretaker boss Robbie Harris.

Gorleston slipped to a third successive defeat with a 2-0 loss at Ipswich Wanderers and look set for a bottom-half finish.

Swaffham Town remain in control of the First Division title race, after a 3-1 home win over Cornard, but the four closest challengers also won.

Matthew Castellan, Jo Jackson and Jake Platten were on target for the Pedlars, who remain two points clear of Long Melford and with a game in hand.

Connor Deeks scored a hat-trick as Great Yarmouth won 4-1 at home against Stowmarket to remain three points behind third-placed Saffron Walden, with a game in hand.

Today's fixtures (3pm)

Premier Division: FC Clacton v Wivenhoe Tn, Felixstowe & Walton Utd v Ipswich Wdrs, Godmanchester Rvrs v Ely City, Gorleston v Kirkley & Pakefield, Haverhill Rvrs v Walsham le Willows, Newmarket Tn v Mildenhall Tn, Norwich Utd v Fakenham Tn, Stanway Rvrs v Brantham Ath, Thetford Tn v Diss Tn, Whitton Utd v Hadleigh Utd

First Division: AFC Sudbury Res v Halstead Tn, Braintree Tn Res v Long Melford, Dereham Tn Res v Stowmarket Tn, Saffron Walden Tn v Haverhill Borough, Swaffham Tn v Great Yarmouth Tn, Team Bury v March Tn Utd, Woodbridge Tn v Kings Lynn Tn Res