The Tangerines battle back to snatch a point in a derby-day thriller

THURLOW NUNN LEAGUE

The Tangerines started strongly, but it was the visitors who took the lead, against the run of play in the 17th minute when a corner was bundled home by James Dean as a group of players challenged for the ball at the near post.

The home side equalised almost immediately when Danny Self received the ball on the halfway line and released Jacob Brown, who held off a challenging defender superbly and ran on to slip the ball past Thetford keeper Cruickshank.

Diss continued to have a slight edge in the first half, but paid dearly for not clearing the ball into touch when they had the chance.

The ball was played back into the Tangerines’ penalty area and Dean fired a well-struck shot into the roof of the net from eight yards that gave home keeper Matt Powley no chance.

The hosts were under pressure for much of the opening of the second half, and in the 75th minute Thetford substitute Halen Smith was left with a simple sidefoot finish from close range to give the Brecklanders a seemingly-commanding 3-1 lead.

However, Diss manager Mark Reeve brought on Kyle Downes and reshaped the team to give the home side more of a cutting edge up front.

In the 78th minute, Self reduced the deficit as he pounced on his own initial shot being parried by Cruickshank to rifle the rebound past the custodian and into the net.

The momentum had swung in Diss’ favour and with four minutes remaining they managed to get themselves level as Ben Lewis seized upon poor defending to chest away from Cruickshank and force the ball over the line.

Their hard work was nearly undone in the final moments as custodian Powley had to be on top form to make two excellent saves and keep the score level and secure a point.

Diss: Powley, Shadrack, Edwards-King, Greenslade, Cox, Lewis, Self, Cole, Brown, Dixon, Doddington. Substitutes: Norman, Ager, Downes, Waters, Lake. Attendance: 165