Diss Town achieved their first home clean sheet of the season and a much needed three points against fellow Thurlow Nunn league strugglers AFC Sudbury Reserves at Brewers Green Lane on Saturday.

Defeat for the Tangerines would have seen Sudbury leapfrog them in the league, but the victory saw Town climb to 13th place.

As befits two teams short on form the first half provided few chances. Neither team seemed to have the cutting edge to outwit their opponents' defence, midfield possession rarely resulting in any goalmouth action.

It took until the 15th minute for a chance of note to be created. Diss attacked down their right wing courtesy of Charlie Lambe and the ball broke to centre-forward Virgilio Leitao in the Sudbury box. Initially it seemed Leitao would poke the ball into the Sudbury net but the visitors goalkeeper Luca Collins was swiftly off his line to snuff out the danger.

Shortly afterwards Diss's defensive frailties were exposed when a single pass split the home defence however Sudbury were unable to get their shot on target, narrowly missing with a shot across goal. Both teams' fans went for their half-time tea with little to talk about.

The second half opened in an altogether brighter vein with Town pressing the Sudbury defence via some quick passing moves, with Ryan Beeston on the left-wing proving to be an increasing threat.

However, it was from a corner on the right that Beeston provided the crucial opening. Beeston floated the ball to the Sudbury near post which was met by the onrushing Lewis Cooke whose header beat Collins in the visitors goal to give Diss the lead in the 61st minute.

Instead of capitalising on the goal Town seemed to sit back and allow Sudbury back into the match, and they nearly paid a heavy price when in the 72nd minute the visitors broke down the Diss right and sent a low cross into the six-yard box.

It seemed easier to score than miss but Sudbury striker Josh Buckley sent the ball soaring over the bar. It was a wake-up call for Diss, and one that was thankfully heeded as within a minute Town's top scorer Leitao had doubled the home-team's lead. Again Ryan Beeston was the provider with a corner and again it was a header that beat Luca Collins.

There was still some nervousness among the home supporters that Sudbury would mount a late comeback but Diss pulled together as a team and managed to see the game out.

Sudbury were restricted to shots from distance that didn't trouble Hayhow in the Diss goal, and it was a comfortable victory in the end.

Manager Jason Cooke was delighted with the win, and will have been particularly pleased with the clean sheet.

The picks for Diss were Stephen Vincent in central midfield who seemed to be everywhere breaking up Sudbury attacks, and Beeston for his energy and movement on the left-wing.

Mention also for Leitao who kept up his impressive goal scoring record. Town now have away trips to Dereham in the Norfolk Senior Cup and Wisbech in the league before entertaining table-toppers King's Lynn Reserves at Brewers Green Lane on December 2.

Diss: Hayhoe, Riches, Smith, Tipple, Ramsey, Vincent, Lambe, Plunkett, Leitao, Goulding, Beeston. Subs: Pain, Bowen, Cooke, Riches