RIDGEONS LEAGUE: Gavin Pauling's long-range effort earned all three points for Wroxham as they closed the gap on third-placed Dereham Town in the Premier Division with a 1-0 win over Harwich & Parkeston.

Gavin Pauling's long-range effort earned all three points for Wroxham as they closed the gap on third-placed Dereham Town in the Premier Division with a 1-0 win over Harwich & Parkeston.

With the Magpies' game at home to Woodbridge Town postponed, the Yachtsmen took full advantage - but had to wait until the last two minutes of the match, as the defender sent a 35-yard daisy-cutter that slipped through the hands of Harwich goalkeeper Nathan Munson at Trafford Park.

Both sides had already been reduced to 10 men by referee Stephen Artis.

The first sending-off came after only 15 minutes, when Paul Cook saw red for colliding with Munson.

Visiting number four Adam Warren was also dismissed in the first period, a debatable decision in the minds of the touchline faithful.

The game had seemed destined for a draw until Pauling's late strike earnt the win, and the late winner ensures Wroxham are only one point behind Dereham Town in the Premier Division table, with a game in hand.

However, Kirkley & Pakefield lost ground after slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Walsham-le-Willows.

A brilliant strike by Liam Harvey-Cooper gave the visitors a deserved lead on 34 minutes, cracking the ball home from all of 35 yards.

But a spirited second-half comeback saw Gary Newman divert the ball home before, with 11 minutes left, he bagged a second with his head, straight from keeper Barry Lynn's huge clearance.

The game ended on a sour note for Kirkley, as centre-forward Nathan Stone was sent off late on after an almighty skirmish outside the home penalty area.

Norwich United lost for the 17th time of the campaign after goals from Luke Callender and Sam Newson sealed a

2-0 win for Stanway Rovers at Plantation Park.

Newson's goal came from the penalty spot after he had been brought down, and he picked himself up to slot home his spot kick.

Wisbech slipped to a 1-0 home defeat to Leiston, while King's Lynn Reserves' had a free weekend after their match at Haverhill Rovers was postponed.

With Lowestoft Town in FA Vase semi-final action, CRC took their chance to reduce the Blues' lead to 14 points with a 4-1 win over Wivenhoe Town.

Needham Market and Tiptree were also left celebrating after wins at Felixstowe and over Ely City, respectively.

In Division One, Gorleston were the day's big winners - hitting Swaffham Town for seven at Emerald Park.

But apart from Diss Town's 1-1 draw at March Town United, the rest of the region's sides were on the end of some harsh scorelines.

Thetford were unable to follow up their excellent draw with leaders Newmarket in midweek, as they crashed 6-1 at Brantham Athletic.

Craig Skipp had equalised after Oliver Mann's opener to go in level at half-time, but a second half hat-trick from Simon Mann secured en emphatic win.

Yarmouth Town's slide down the table continued with a 7-1 hammering at Halstead, leaving them a place behind Gorleston in the table. Stewart Roach was on target for the visitors.

Fakenham lost 2-0 at Hadleigh United and were cut adrift at the bottom after Long Melford's 2-1 win over Saffron Walden, leaving the Ghosts five points adrift.