Wroxham turned in an improved performance but came up short against third-placed AFC Sudbury.

First-half goals from Joe Maybanks and Liam Wales put the visitors, managed by former Lowestoft Town player Jamie Godbold, in the driving seat, with Nathan Stone pulling one back early in the second half for Wroxham, who have just one point from their last seven outings and have now lost four in a row.

It was a match played out in soggy conditions, with the Trafford Park pitch the subject of two pitch inspections – and facing another game tomorrow when Wroxham are due to play their Norfolk Senior Cup fourth round tie against Great Yarmouth.

Sudbury started better on Saturday, creating most of the early chances, with Wales blasting over the bar and Maybanks forcing Nathan Pauling into action.

Stone saw an effort ruled out for offside while on 20 minutes Danny Beaumont cut inside and saw his shot skim the top of the crossbar.

But with Wroxham getting a foothold, Maybanks planted the ball in the top right corner and 10 minutes later Sudbury doubled their lead after a scramble in the box, Wales poking the ball in from close range.

Wroxham started the second half well – Jamie Forshaw's deflected shot was just wide and Jordan King then had an effort ruled out for offside.

But 10 minutes in, sub Michael Sommerfield played a beautifully weighted pass over the top of the defence and straight into the path of Stone to reduce the arrears.

The Yachtsmen kept the pressure on for most of the half – King's shot from the edge of the area was well saved and Stephen Taylor had a close-range effort blocked on the line.

Stone's cross from the left almost went in before keeper Marcus Garnham got his finger-tips to the ball. Wroxham's final opportunity came in time added on after Lewis Sturman was brought down on the edge of the area.

The referee played advantage, Stone was then brought down in the box – but the official pulled play back to the first incident and Forshaw put the free-kick wide.

Wroxham: Pauling, Taylor, Kelleher (Sommerfield 45), Hinton, Howell, Halliday, Forshaw, Sturman, Stone, King (Jarvis 76), Beaumont (Guyton 84). Subs not used: Ebbage, Norman. Bookings: Beaumont, Sommerfield. Goal: Stone 54.

Sudbury: Garnham, Robinson, Wilkinson, Berquez, Henshaw, Mallardo, Wales (Bailey 87), S Clarke (G Clarke 83), Baker, Parker, Maybanks (Blackwell 68). Subs not used: Newman, Bailey, Godbold. Booked: Baker, S Clarke, Berquez. Goals: Maybanks 26, Wales 39.

Attendance: 117