Dereham Town went clear at the top of the Ridgeons Premier with a 5-0 win over Histon Reserves.

They are due to play second-placed Kirkley & Pakefield on Tuesday night in a vital game in the battle for supremacy.

The Magpies went in front when Scott Roberts released Danny Beaumont down the right, he squared the ball across the Histon box enabling Scott Woodgate to stab home from close range.

Dereham increased the lead when another cross from the right by Beaumont was not cleared and, after Adam Smith’s shot was charged down, the ball fell to Roberts who drilled home a low drive.

Dereham netted their third when Ollie Willis played a neat one-two with Ryan Foster before delivering a low cross from the right byline that Kyle Downes guided home from the six-yard line.

Sub Steve Harley side footed home Willis’ pin-point cross from the right to make it four and skipper Willis registered his side’s nap hand when he skilfully chipped home keeper Crook from 20 yards after receiving Foster’s flick.

Meanwhile, Kirkley & Pakefield played at Ely City and both teams were forced to settle for a point as they failed to score. In a game of very few clear goal-scoring opportunities, a draw was a fair result as the away side failed to stop Dereham building a two-point gap at the top.

Ely started the game well as Dave Smith and Adam Murray both had headers that narrowly flew wide of the goal.

As the home side gained momentum, a Robbie Mason strike from the edge of the area cannoned back off Attridge’s post as many of the attacks stemmed from the precise kicking of keeper Lee Pacey.

The KP Royals did grow into the game as Ryan Crisp looked particularly dangerous, yet the final ball lacked quality on many occasions.

In the second half chances were few and far between yet Kirkley looked the most likely to break the deadlock as they applied pressure on the goal. Substitute Scott Martin tested Pacey with a long drive and Ian Dawson’s free-kick was tipped over the bar.

As the game drew to a close both sides had half-chances through Mason and McKenna, yet there were too many long balls played throughout the game, with no side having the real cutting edge in front of goal.

Even late Kirkley substitute Russell Stock couldn’t get on the scoresheet as the spoils were shared.

Other Premier Division results were Mildenhall beating hosts Wivenhoe 1-0 while Brantham and visitors Debenham LC shared the spoils 2-2.

Meanwhile, Diss Town won for a third Ridgeons Division One match running to stay just one point behind leaders Cambridge University Press with one game in hand.

The Tangerines were 3-0 winners over visiting Swaffham.

Ben Green headed over when well placed at a Stuart Garner free-kick before Diss pressure brought the opening goal in the 18th minute.

Jordan Rocastle beat two defenders before shooting past Dean Mayes for his seventh goal of the season.

Mayes saved well from Luke Catchpole and Rocastle twice before he was beaten again in the 40th minute.

Jon Abbott played the ball through for Catchpole to play the ball into the path of Peter Hooks. He shot in for his first goal of the season on a rare start.

Simon Jackson played a long ball out of defence in the 56th minute for Rocastle to run and cross to Sam Bryant. He shot in for his first goal of the season.

Mayes made some fine saves for the Pedlars throughout the game to prevent a higher scoreline.

Defeat was disappointing for Swaffham but it is exciting to see the young team growing in confidence and demonstrating some fine football talent and the club feels greater things are to come this season.

Leaders Cambridge University Press had a real tussle with mid-table Thetford, just coming off the winners 4-3.

A hat-trick by Thetford’s Matt Dixon was not enough as the Cambridge side were on the scoresheet four times through efforts from L Clift, J McDermott, Y Rerizani and L Whitehead.

Downham Town entertained Long Melford and were 3-0 winners.

Stowmarket came away from Halstead with all three points from a 4-0 win while Team Bury hosted Cornard and were the victors 4-3.

In Reserve League North, Yarmouth Reserves were 10-1 winners over their Whitton counterparts, while their coastal rivals Lowestoft won 6-0 at home, beating Diss Reserves.

Norwich United Reserves entertained Gorleston Reserves and were 4-2 winners.