KEITH PEEL Finding a cure for travel troubles could prove the key to St Andrews' survival hopes. “We haven't picked up one point away from home this season, which is diabolical,” explained manager Paul Eggett.

KEITH PEEL

Finding a cure for travel troubles could prove the key to St Andrews' survival hopes.

“We haven't picked up one point away from home this season, which is diabolical,” explained manager Paul Eggett.

With every point precious as Saints strive to distance themselves from the Lovewell Blake Anglian Combination Premier Division relegation zone, he said: “Our away form was actually better than our home form last season, so the contrast is puzzling. I just don't know what's causing it.”

Saints have nonetheless more than doubled their points tally since Christmas and Eggett added: “The way the fixtures came out gave us a hard start to the season, but things have looked brighter since the turn of the year.

“Two or three players returned from injuries, we've managed to bring a couple of players in and February has been a kind month in terms of fixtures.

“We had only nine points at Christmas, but now we've got 20, so it's a big turn in form.”

Fifth from bottom St Andrews edged closer to safety on Saturday with a 1-1 (own goal) draw against Attleborough, for whom Mark Almond replied.

With three games in hand, that leaves Saints seven points clear of Attleborough, who are second from bottom.

Cromer, meanwhile, dropped two precious points in the championship race when they drew 1-1 (Darren Terrington) at Pinebanks with Norwich Union, for whom Simon Durrant scored.

With two games in hand, the third-placed Crabs are now six points behind leaders Acle and five adrift of title holders Blofield.

Acle's visit to fifth-placed Halvergate was postponed, as was Blofield's game against Lowestoft Town Reserves at Crown Meadow.

Sheringham are fourth, on goal difference behind Cromer, after a 4-1 (Craig Knowles 2, Karl Dickerson and Darren Nichols) defeat of bottom team Watton, whose marksman was Kevin Bloomfield.

Sixth-placed Brandon drew 2-2 (John Waites 2) with Sprowston Athletic, for whom Sean Brown and Ben Finch were on target.

Goals from Barney Lawrence (2), Alan Remblance (2), Matthew Fiske and Joshua Woolnough earned Beccles Town a 6-1 win over Wroxham Reserves, form whom Ross Durrant scored.

Dersingham Rovers went 16 points clear in Division One with a 5-0 win over relegation battlers Horsford, their goals coming from Steven Clark, Paul Edwards, Gary English, Paul English and James Hazell.

Second-placed Mattishall's match against Holt was postponed, while third-placed Southwold drew 2-2 (Rory French and Robbie Kirtley) with Wymondham Town, whose scorers were Thomas Clarke and Joe Pattison.

Sprowston Wanderers, who are fourth, drew 1-1 with fifth-placed Wells, their respective goals coming from James Maxwell-Stuart and James Frary.

Aylsham Wanderers, sixth on goal difference, won 3-2 (Sam Bryant, Tom Bryant and Michael Reynolds) with Scole, for whom Ben Cussons and Darren Philpot replied.

Seventh-placed Loddon won 3-0 (James Marjoribanks, Matthew Sadler, own goal) against Hempnall.

Mundford's lead in Division Two was reduced to seven points when they lost 2-1 (Grant Wisbey penalty) to second-placed Corton, who have played three matches more.