The first 25 minutes saw the visitors create the best chances with Ryan Haynes smashing a shot towards the top-left corner only for Matt Webster to dive full length and palm the ball away for a corner.

Simon Mann unleashed a shot from 30 yards out but failed to hit the target.

Brendan Foley picked out the run of Peter Hooks, who in turn squeezed in a low cross for Luke Catchpole to bundle over the line for a 1-0 lead after 28 minutes.

It should have been two moments later, as George Watts-Sturrock missed an open goal from four yards.

Town did double their lead in the 40th minute, when a Brendan Foley cross from the left flew over keeper Mark Bowden and into the far corner of the net, for a rather fortunate goal.

The second half saw Thetford looking to get at the Tangerines and for a good 20 minutes the Brewers Green Lane outfit soaked up and weathered the onslaught.

A Ashley Thompson header from 10 yards was taken low down by Webster, before the Diss keeper ended a long mazy run by the dangerous Simon Mann, diving at his feet to smother the ball.

Diss increased their lead in the 71st minute when a brilliant ball by Sam Bryant picked out Jon Abbott who was totally unmarked and, with keeper Bowden bearing down, he drove his shot into the net.

Then a mini revival by Thetford began in the 78th minute, when a cracking through ball by Chris Collins-Reed to Chris Walsh who in turn crossed for Matt Dixon to score from close range and was followed five minutes later by a penalty to the visitors. Up stepped Dixon to send Webster the wrong way and make the score 3-2 and the Tangerines looked nervous.

The game was effectively settled late on when Craig Skipp's free kick from the left fell kindly for Catchpole, who stabbed the ball home from six yards out to give Diss a 4-2 victory.

Chris Collins-Reed was given a second yellow, which reduced Thetford to ten men in stoppage time.

Diss Town: Webster, Jenkinson, Garner, Shadrack, Foley, Skipp, Watts-Sturrock (Abbott 68), Catchpole, Wynne (Huckle 74), Hooks (Rocastle 90), Bryant.

Substitues (Not used): Szalek, McAnally.

Man of the match: Brendan Foley - Pivotal in defence.