Liam Abraham on Framlingham Town going three games without a win and dropping off the top of the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North table

Liam Abraham says he will find out more about his Framlingham Town side’s ability to bounce back from adversity when they visit Holbeach United tomorrow (3pm).

After thrashing Norwich CBS 5-1 on the road to move back to the top of the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North table on January 21, the Castlemen’s title bid has hit the brakes over the last fortnight.

Fram slipped to a 3-1 defeat at home to in-form Harwich & Parkeston, before conceding two late goals to draw 3-3 with tomorrow’s opponents Holbeach at Badingham Road, and last Saturday fell to a 4-0 defeat on the road at Needham Market Under-23s.

It is a trio of results which has seen Abraham’s side go from having a two-point lead at the summit to dropping to second, behind title rivals Heacham, who are one point clear and also have a game in hand.

“It’s been really hard to take,” the Fram boss said. “The last three results have been disappointing to be honest with you.

“We lost to Harwich at home who are a strong team and they showed how strong they are.

“Then we dropped points against Holbeach when we were in a comfortable position in the game.

“We self destructed a little bit on Saturday having two players sent off towards the end, but to be honest Needham were 2-0 up and playing really well.

“By the time we got two men sent off I don’t think it determined the overall result.

“I think you find out more about the team and the lads you’ve got in the changing room when you’re losing games than when you’re top and winning games.

“It will be really interesting to see how we respond on Saturday. It’s another really tough game away at Holbeach.

“There will be a bit of added motivation for us after conceding the two late goals against them last time, but they’re a good outfit and it’s not going to be easy again.”

Last weekend’s trip to Bloomfields was the first time Fram drew a blank in front of goal since early October, with the dismissals of Niki Shopov and Cyrus Thorpe seeing them finish the game with nine men.

An Ed Barker hat-trick and a goal from Ollie Fraser did the damage for a Needham side who have now won four of their last five games.

“I don’t think we should take away from them how well they played,” Abraham said. “On paper it looks like we should have won comfortably with the league positions, but actually they were brilliant.

“They’ve got some real good talented players there. When you’ve got the lad like Ollie Fraser, who scored one against us, he’s been in and around their first team, so it’s a credit to them.

“It was a really good performance from them and it killed us off.”

Elsewhere in the First Division North, Diss Town drew 1-1 away at Holbeach, as the two sides with the most draws in the league played out another stalemate.

The Tangerines struck first when James Sillet headed the ball down for Kyle Baker to score from close range after 21 minutes.

Holbeach got back on level terms on 59 minutes after Bogdan Masnita fired a shot just inside the far post.

Diss (12th) visit seventh-placed AFC Sudbury Reserves tonight (7.45pm) ahead of hosting Haverhill Borough (15th) on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Debenham LC slipped to back-to-back defeats in the First Division North after losing 2-0 at play-off chasers Whittlesey Athletic on Saturday.

The Hornets (18th) host new leaders Heacham tomorrow (3pm).

Up into the Premier Division, Harleston Town lost more ground in the promotion race after a 3-0 defeat at home to leaders Thetford Town at the weekend.

Cameron King’s first-half opener for the visitors was followed by a goal from Dan Gilchrist, before Nathan Page was shown a straight red card for Harleston.

The teams were evened up moments later when Nathan Clarke was sent off for Thetford, but the front runners wrapped up the points with substitute Emmanuel Machaya scoring a third.

Harleston (4th) visit seventh-placed Mildenhall Town tomorrow (3pm).

Walsham-le-Willows tasted consecutive defeats in the Premier Division after being beaten 2-0 at home by Mulbarton Wanderers on Saturday. The Willows (12th) go to Norwich United tomorrow (3pm).