A goal early in the second half was enough to condemn Stewart Larter to his fourth defeat in four games since becoming Greens’ boss.

On paper this fixture was Gorleston’s easiest chance to get three points, with Fakenham bottom of the table and reportedly a club in turmoil - but it was a another disappointing night.

There were two changes to the side that had been so close to getting something at Wroxham. Joel Watts and Isaac Burrage dropped to the bench and in came Elliott Hannant and centre back David Shade for his first start since signing from Beccles.

Gorleston had the first chance after 11 minutes when Connor Ingram whipped in the free-kick which Mitch McKay headed over.

The first shot on target came in the 38th minute through a Connor Ingram free-kick from 25 yards out which Fakenham keeper Luke Pearson pushed wide.

A minute later Kyle Ingram got in and around the keeper but his shot was cleared by a covering defender. The ball fell to Connor Ingram whose follow up was also blocked. The ball went wide before being crossed back to the edge of the box where Connor’s second effort went wide.

Fakenham took the lead in the 57th minute when a corner from the right was met first in a crowded six yard box by Jimmy Williams who turned it in. Five minutes later a rush of blood from Reece Taylor saw him lash out at Kyle Ingram by the touchline and earn himself a straight red card.

Boss Larter then gave a debut to Ross Gilfedder, a new signing from Wroxham, and brought on Jack Garrod and finally the Greens began to play with a bit of pace against the 10 men.

With something to hold on to the Ghosts defended valiantly however and when the hosts did get through they found keeper Pearson equal to everything.

Watts saw an effort saved low to the keeper’s near post and the keeper then held on well to a Connor Ingram free-kick from 30 yards before Gilfedder had two efforts in the five added on minutes but both were straight at the keeper.

Match sponsors Kevin and Veronica Antcliffe awarded the Batemans man-of-the-match to David Shade.

Gorleston: Molloy, Clements, Kounnas, Goreham (Watts 79), Shade, Foreman, K Ingram, McKay, Lambert (Gilfedder 62), C Ingram, Hannant (Garrod 69). Attendance 113.