Michael Bailey NORFOLK SENIOR CUP: Sheringham are out of this season's Norfolk Senior Cup after they were beaten by Thetford Town 3-1 at Weybourne Road. With the weather decimating the weekend's fixtures, last season's Carrow Road finalists had been in top form in the Anglian Combination Premier Division and were pushing to make the quarter-finals this term.

Michael Bailey

Sheringham are out of this season's Norfolk Senior Cup after they were beaten by Thetford Town 3-1 at Weybourne Road.

With the weather decimating the weekend's fixtures, last season's Carrow Road finalists had been in top form in the Anglian Combination Premier Division and were pushing to make the quarter-finals this term.

But with the score 1-1 after normal time, the Shannocks came unstuck thanks to strikes from Town's Sam Bryant and Simon Mann in extra-time, to book the Ridgeons League First Division side's place in the next round.

Thetford had their noses in front as early as the 25th minute in the wintry conditions, after a pass from Lee Devlin was headed at goal by Bryant, allowing Mann to touch it over the line.

In a pulsating encounter, Sheringham came out for the second half all guns blazing and duly equalised five minutes after the interval, Steven Jordan heading home from a corner.

Town's Ross Bilham was the busier of the two goalkeepers as the game headed for extra-time, although Ryan Haynes had two efforts well saved for Thetford with only minutes remaining.

The Ridgeons side looked the stronger as both sides tired and, just four minutes into extra-time, the Shannocks' goalkeeper failed to hold Greg Devlin's shot, enabling Bryant to follow up and restore Town's lead.

As the light faded, Mann made the tie safe in the second period of extra-time with a great run and finish to bag his second of the match and Thetford's place in the next round.

In the only other match to make it through the weather on Saturday, Dereham Town spoiled the hopes of their former manager Robert Taylor, beating Diss Town 4-2 at Aldiss Park.

Taylor, who guided the Magpies to Senior Cup glory in 2006 and 2007, was hoping his current side could cause an upset against the side sitting second in the Ridgeons League. But the Tangerine's early promise soon faded and striker Paul Atkins slid the ball past Diss goalkeeper after 13 minutes, following good work from Stuart Garner and Graham Barrett.

Dereham went further ahead on 24 minutes, after Diss striker Ben Soanes' risky back-pass saw the ball hold up on the sodden surface and Danny Beaumont pounced to plant the ball into the net.

A third soon followed, Atkins grabbing his second after rounding the 'keeper eight minutes before the interval. But Dereham switched off before half-time and ex-Magpie James Wilson fired home following a corner from the left, before Danny McKail scored from close range to bring the Tangerines to the brink of a dramatic comeback.

Dereham huffed and puffed in the second half and Sam Willis saw a goalbound effort cleared off the line, while at the other end Stephen Best rattled the Dereham crossbar from Robbie Lawrence's cross.

McKail then had a glorious chance to bring Diss level but he missed the target with only John Higgs to beat, and the Ridgeons League First Division side were made to pay seven minutes from time, when Joel Brien smashed home Dereham's fourth following good play from Ollie Willis, to effectively end the contest.

Wroxham and Gorleston both secured their place in the fifth round on Friday night - the Yachtsmen beating Anglian Combination side Sprowston Athletic 3-0 at Trafford Park, while Gorleston saw home advantage ease them through 5-1 against North Walsham.

Fakenham Town and Loddon United are set to try and play their Norfolk Senior Cup fifth round tie tomorrow night, weather permitting. The original fixture succumbed to the wintry conditions on Saturday.