Diss promotion hopes are all but over after defeat against Cornard

Diss Town's slim promotion hopes all but ended after sliding to a 2-0 home defeat to lowly Cornard, managed by ex-Town boss Chris Tracy, at Brewers Green Lane.

From knocking on the promotion door at the turn of the year, an alarming slump in form has seen Town drop to eighth.

Both teams drew a blank from the early exchanges with long-ball football being easily dealt with by both defences. Such was the paucity of goalmouth action that it wasn't until midway through the first half that there was a serious attempt on goal. Cornard attacked down the right and after a series of half-tackles and missed clearances a cross was turned onto the Diss post. Town failed to clear the danger, surrendered possession cheaply, and allowed the visitors time to whip the ball back into the Diss box, and Jack Marshall scrambled the ball home.

The Tangerines' only first half attempt on goal was a scuffed Charlie Webb shot from a Sam Bryant corner.

The second half proved to be more of the same. Neither team had the quality to unlock defences and the home fans grew restless after a series of misplaced passes seemed to be consigning Diss to another defeat.

Jason Armes replaced Joe Boulter on the hour and Adam Burroughs was brought off the bench for his first appearance since October. However, it was too little too late. The normally effective Armes couldn't find the pace of the game whilst Burroughs almost pulled things level with a left-foot shot from the edge of the box.

All that remained was for Diss to present Cornard with a second goal they scarcely deserved. Luke Appleton played keeper Lewis Riches into trouble with a weak back pass. With a Cornard forward bearing down on him, Riches' attempted clearance bounced off the onrushing striker to give him a tap in to the open goal.

Diss can have little complaint with the result. It was a well below par performance against an ordinary side and another season in Thurlow Nunn Division One beckons.

Team: Riches, Wenham, Cole, Appleton, Shadrack, Manning, Boulter, Norton-Hugman, Webb, Hunsdon, Bryant. Subs: Macrea, Bray, Appleton, Armes, Burroughs.