Diss sign off from a tough first half of the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North season with a big defeat against Wisbech St Mary

Diss Town rounded off a miserable first half of the season by going down 4-1 at home to Wisbech St Mary on Saturday.

The Tangerines, who went into the encounter with former assistant Mike Derbyshire in interim charge following the recent departure of manager Jason Cook, go into 2019 sitting second from bottom in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North with a return of just 14 points.

The hosts actually started the contest against Wisbech at Brewers Green Lane relatively brightly but they could not convert any of their chances.

However, the visitors’ Ryan Harnwell had no such issues in front of goal after the restart as he found the net on four occasions.

He completed his hat-trick in a clinical seven-minute spell before racing away in the 79th minute after a Diss corner to round off a memorable afternoon.

The final say did at least go to Diss when Kieran Hagan scored a consolation, but it did little to deter from the fact there is now no league win since October 20 for the strugglers.

Diss will be hoping that the new year starts on a more positive note when they head to 13th-placed Leiston Reserves tomorrow (3pm).

The two sides met on the opening day of the season when Diss ran out 3-2 winners with the now departed Steve Holder helping himself to a brace.

Leiston’s second string were victorious last time out, beating Ipswich Wanderers 2-1.