Thetford Town fell at the first hurdle in the FA Vase, losing 3-2 at home to UCL outfit Blackstones in the first qualifying round.

The match was David Skipp and Ian Fancett's second in interim charge of the Brecklanders, having replaced Mark Scott who parted ways with the club after just three league matches and after the match Skipp insisted his side are starting to improve.

'The boys are growing,' said Skipp. 'They are getting more and more confident and we just need to get that win, because at the moment when we go ahead the lads still think they are going to concede. They just haven't got the confidence yet to go forward, but that will come.'

Despite defeat, Skipp's side raced into an early lead with Robbie Priddle tapping the ball over the line at the far post, amid a goalmouth scramble after just 90 seconds.

The hosts' lead was short-lived though and just six minutes later Jones De Souza made it 1-1 after intercepting a badly timed back pass, before firing past Matt Barker in the visitors' net.

Priddle restored the hosts' lead, just past the hour mark, but five minutes later his side were reduced to 10 men when Bruno Tavares saw red for a tackle on Matthew Simpson.

The sending off proved costly for Thetford as goals from Adriano Staffieri and Sam Strange saw Blackstones turn the tables at Mundford Road.

Elsewhere in the FA Vase, a brace from Karl Tansley plus goals from Craig Dickson and Mark Smith saw Downham Town comfortably overcome Huntingdon Town.

Great Yarmouth also progressed after a 4-2 victory away at Boston Town, with Thomas Cullumbine finding the back of the Boston net twice, with Declan McAvoy and Connor Deeks also on the scoresheet for the Bloaters.

In the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division there was disappointment for Fakenham Town, who are rooted of the bottom of the table after being thrashed 5-0 away at Godmanchester Rovers.

It was also a disappointing day for Gorleston, who were beaten 3-2 at Stanway with Jamie Shaw scoring the decisive strike in the 95th minute. Keegan Middleton and Joel Watts scored for the Greens.

There was better news for Swaffham Town who enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Newmarket Town, with former King's Lynn striker Jack Defty bagging a hat-trick.

Norwich United remain top of the table after a 1-0 victory over Walsham le Willows, with Matthew Blake scoring the only goal.

In the First Division, King's Lynn Reserves moved up to second after a 1-0 victory away at Woodbridge Town, Dereham Reserves went down by 2-1 at home to Stowmarket Town and Diss Town suffered their second defeat of the season as they were beaten 2-1 away at Ely City.