Diss Town 2 Stowmarket Town 1

Diss were at home to Stowmarket on Saturday, having played the corresponding away fixture only three weeks ago.

In that match the Tangerines were left frustrated after dominating the match and having to settle for a draw. This time they were again the dominant side for long spells in the first half, and it looked like they might go into the break goalless.

However, a goal seconds before the half-time whistle and another towards the end of the game from Ben Fowkes on his debut ensured that they took the three points on this occasion, despite Stowmarket pulling a goal back very late in the game.

Danny Self returned to the side wearing the captain's armband, with Sam Page starting the game as the only other change from the previous week's XI.

For the first 15 minutes there were few chances created to trouble either keeper. However, the Tangerines enjoyed some good spells of pressure and in the 21st minute Stowmarket's Will Seccombe had to react quickly to slide the ball away from Kyle Downes at the far post after Jason Armes had whipped in a low across that had eluded everyone else in the penalty area.

Eight minutes later Jamie George set off on a fine individual run that took him past several defenders but there were no Tangerine shirts in the six-yard box when George cut the ball back and the Stowmarket defence were able to clear the ball at the expense of a corner.

In the 39th minute Joe Manning also showed some neat footwork to take himself into the penalty area but with just visiting keeper Joyce to beat his curling shot went well wide of the far post.

With 46 minutes having being played it seemed likely that first half would be goalless. However, Self closed down an attempted clearance midway in the opponents' half and found himself with a clear run on goal, ahead of the visiting defenders. As Joyce came off his line the Diss player coolly tucked a low shot away from just inside the penalty area, to give this side a 1-0 lead. The Tangerines continued to press in the second half and Page went close in the 61st minute with an overhead kick which just cleared the crossbar.

Young Fowkes came on as a substitute for George in the 80th minute to make his debut for the Tangerines. Within a few seconds he was put clear of the visitors' defence and kept his composure to dispatch a low shot in off the far post as keeper Joyce came off his line.

This gave the Tangerines a 2-0 lead with less than 15 minutes to play. With six minutes left Stowmarket did manage to pull a goal back when Davis was found in a gap of the middle of the home defence and he did not hesitate as he blasted the ball past Will Izod from just inside the penalty area.

This could have given the Tangerines an uncomfortable last few minutes to hold on, but they managed to keep the visitors at arm's length and prevented them from creating any more chances.

Diss: Will Izod, Jack Hood, Stefan Gilding, Chris Gibbons, Dale Barrett, Jason Armes, Joe Manning, Danny Self, Sam Page, Kyle Downes, Jamie George.

Subs: Ben Fowkes (for George 80 mins), Callum Olpin (Self 82), David Norman (Downes 88), Matthew Powley.

Attendance: 117.

The Tangerines are away on Saturday when they play at Halstead Town, kick-off 3pm.