KEITH PEEL Lowestoft Town and Wisbech Town may have to put their promotion ambitions on hold. They are among the Ridgeons League Premier Division clubs aiming for a top-three finish to qualify for a step up to the next tier under a proposed pyramid restructure.

KEITH PEEL

Lowestoft Town and Wisbech Town may have to put their promotion ambitions on hold. They are among the Ridgeons League Premier Division clubs aiming for a top-three finish to qualify for a step up to the next tier under a proposed pyramid restructure.

Now, though, the Unibond League has brought legal action in pursuit of a restructure review.

“It is now thought that plans for the formation of a fifth Step 4 League for 2006/07 may come unstuck if the legal action drags on,” said a Ridgeons League spokesman.

FA Leagues manager Mike Appleby said that, rather than the six divisions originally planned, five looked more likely as it didn't appear enough clubs would pass required grading standards.

He added: “The Unibond wants six divisions, but, unless grading standards are relaxed, that is unlikely to happen this year. However, that is up to the clubs. If they wish to change the standard required, they can do so. If the legal action takes time, it could put the restructure on hold.”

Gary Harvey, manager of AFC Sudbury, who have also applied to step up, said: “There were clear guidelines at the start of the season, but not any more. We will have to wait and see.”

On the pitch, Lowestoft's title hopes were given a double boost on Saturday when they won 4-0 at Harwich while leaders Sudbury lost 2-1 at Soham, who thus completed a double. Darren Cockrill, Craig Lewis, Russell Stock and Richard Woodrow scored for the third-placed Blues, who, with a game in hand, now trail Sudbury by only four points.

Second-placed Bury Town are two points behind, from the same number of matches, after an 8-1 spree against basement side Clacton.

Wisbech are fifth after drawing 2-2 at eighth-placed Leiston, where goals from Martin McNeil and Liam Nimmo had put them 2-0 up in 36 minutes.

Lee McGlone reduced the deficit on 63 minutes and Donald George scored an injury-time equaliser.

“I'm disappointed because we conceded a last-minute goal, but, at the end of the day, we have an away point against a top side and we have to be happy with that,” reflected Wisbech manager Dick Creasey.

Diss Town drew 2-2 (Dale Vince and Danny White) with Histon Reserves and are ninth, with Wroxham 11th after a 1-0 (Gary Gilmore) win at Halstead.

Dereham Town drew 0-0 at Woodbridge and are 12th, just above Kirkley, who lost 2-1 to Cambridge City Reserves at Walmer Road.

King's Lynn Reserves, beaten 1-0 by Ipswich Wanderers, are 15th, with Norwich United still third from bottom after a 5-1 (Matty Banham) defeat at Mildenhall.

Resurgent Yarmouth Town produced the result of the day in Division One, goals from Darren Glynn and Daley Palmer earning them a 2-0 win at Tiptree, who are now third in the table.

The Bloaters are 14th, three places behind Fakenham Town, who lost 7-1 (Ben Darby) to fifth-placed Walsham-Le-Willows.

Swaffham Town are sixth after a 1-0 defeat at Haverhill, with Gorleston 17th after losing 2-0 to leaders Stanway Rovers at Emerald Park.

Downham Town lost 4-1 to fourth-placed Fulbourn Institute and are third from bottom of the table, just above Thetford Town, who drew 1-1 (Jordon Parish) at Long Melford.