The Hornets started brightly against a side just above them in the table.

In his last match before serving a three-game suspension, Warren Taylor-Holt was heavily involved in the early stages. He got on the end of a move involving Rob Canfer and Dale Vince, only to fire a shot from Stuart Jopling's perceptive pass straight at Melford keeper Floyd Croll.

Debenham continued to create chances but Mark Powling failed to hit the target after rising unmarked to meet Jon Ince's free kick.

When the Hornets did find the back of the net, Jopling's effort was ruled out for handball as he turned in Kevin Barker's cross.

Captain Barker was influential setting up an opportunity for Taylor-Holt only for Croll to produce a great save.

The young Melford side came back into the game but neither Dan Statham nor Dan Bull could find their range from outside the area.

It needed a great covering tackle by Jon Ince to deny Carl Daw after a mazy run into the area.

Debenham's cause was further hampered by the loss of Barker after 36 minutes with a knee injury.

The half looked to be ending goal-less until Jopling took the heat off the Hornets with a coolly converted penalty in stoppage time. Jopling's cross failed to reach its intended target and Debenham's claims for a seemingly harsh handball were upheld – there was little sentiment from Jopling in finding the back of the net.

The visitors suffered a setback in the second period when Steve Chisholm had to be stretchered off after a challenge by Neil Gooderham.

Debenham seemed to be the least affected by the long delay.

The goal which sealed the game arrived after 73 minutes. Rob Canfer started the move and was there to volley in from eight yards when the ball fell invitingly to him.

Jopling failed to find the right connection to Rob Kemp's cross but when he did connect moments later Floyd Croll was in fine form.

Worryingly for the Hornets Gooderham limped off and Stuart Jopling was left hobbling at the end.

Victory may come at a price with an important FA Vase fixture against Fakenham Town at Maitlands tomorrow, 3pm.

Debenham LC: Ellis, Powling, Ince, Gooderham (Norman 90), French, Canfer, Taylor-Holt (Kemp 61), Barker (Pratt 36), Jopling, Smith, Vince.
Substitute (unused): Johnson.

Man of the Match: Dale Vince – A convincing display.