GORLESTON secured three vital points against a strong Diss side at Emerald Park on Tuesday night, winning 3-1 at Emerald Park.It was a bitterly cold night and the pitch was slippery after some heavy rain of late.

GORLESTON secured three vital points against a strong Diss side at Emerald Park on Tuesday night, winning 3-1 at Emerald Park.

It was a bitterly cold night and the pitch was slippery after some heavy rain of late. But the players of both sides gave their all.

Gorleston played John Bell in central midfield in place of Adam Thurtle, who received a knock over the weekend.

Gorleston attacked from the start but after 10 minutes Diss received a setback when their young midfielder George Wilson was sent off for an elbow on Ricci Butler.

The Tangerines are to be complimented for their all-round performance for the remainder of the match. George Wilson is the son of former Gorleston player George Wilson who played in the Gorleston team of the Eighties managed by Sammy Morgan.

Gorleston took the lead on 32 minutes from the penalty spot after a foul in the area and Ricci Butler put the spot kick away.

Gorleston created several openings but even the normally-lethal Lee Hunter could not convert any of those chances.

During this half Steve Taylor, who again had a great game in the Gorleston midfield, made a tremendous run down the left, but when he put the ball in the area the Diss defence cleared it.

Diss had a tremendous spell prior to half-time when they forced several corners but Gorleston defended well and keeper Tom Marsden made several crucial saves, especially one when he tipped the ball over the bar from close range.

In a well-fought second period Lee Hunter beat the offside trap but Diss keeper Matthew Hill made a great save when he came out and blocked the shot.

On 73 minutes Gary Ingram, who worked hard throughout, received the ball on the left, cut in and beat keeper Hill with a fine shot from an acute angle.

Ingram also had a 'goal' disallowed for offside when substitute Mitch Forbes broke on the right and crossed the ball into the box.

Lee Hunter scored his 20th goal of the season when he broke through and fired the ball past Hill on 87 minutes.

Left-back Ben Manning, who otherwise gave an excellent display, gave a needless free-kick away on the right from which central defender Ben Soanes headed the ball in for a consolation goal.

Gorleston and Diss are now level on points, two of several teams challenging for promotion from Ridgeons League Division One.

Newmarket appear strong favourites with Gorleston and Diss and several other teams challenging for the other two promotion spots.

Gorleston joint-manager Martin Sinclair had said before this weekend that he would be quite satisfied with four points from the two quite difficult games. So this has turned out even better.

The crowd of 106 was quite good considering the weather conditions.

Gorleston: T Marsden, K Howell, B Manning, J Bell, L Harewood, E Thompson, R Butler, S Taylor, L Hunter, G Ingram, L Goreham. Subs: R Oldham, H Clements, M Forbes, A Nialli, M Sinclair.

David Gall has presented Leon Harewood and Lee Hunter with his player-of-the-month trophies for November and December and the club would like to thank David Gall for continuing to present this trophy every month.

Two of Gorleston's supporters, Garry Reed and David Hardy, live in Norwich but they both came to the game, and this is greatly appreciated.