Boss Robert Taylor has paid tribute to Diss Town's supporters after his side clinched their first win of 2012 by beating Dereham Town 2-0 on Saturday.

Goals from James Pipe and the returning Stuart Jopling - playing his first game back in Diss colours after signing from Hadleigh United last week - sealed a fine victory for Taylor's outfit against the high-flying Magpies.

Three vital Ridgeons Premier Division points were claimed in front of a crowd of 144 and the Tangerines manager admits he was pleased fans could leave Brewers Green Lane with something to cheer about.

Taylor said: 'The fans have been superb all season. They keep coming to support us and they've stuck by us when we haven't got the wins.

'They come down to see a team who try to play football, who are not just hoofing it, and they appreciate that. They can see us progressing and getting better and better each week.

'The supporters understand we haven't got the results we've deserved but credit to them for sticking by us - hopefully we can give them a few more wins to cheer about between now and the end of the season.'

Diss, 17th, are currently the joint third-best supported team in the league - along with Gorleston - with an average gate of 142. Only Wisbech Town (257) and Dereham Town (146) can boast better figures this season.

Tangerine fans will be able to cheer their side, four points clear of the relegation zone, on again on Saturday when they host in-form Haverhill Rovers (3pm).

Taylor said: 'We played very well to beat Dereham but the win has been coming for a few weeks now.

'Stuart (Jopling) made a big difference to us as he got hold of the ball up front. I wouldn't say the victory lifted a weight off our shoulders as I wasn't worried because we'd been playing well.

'The lads have been playing with confidence and creating chances and we'd got to the stage where we couldn't really have played any better without winning a game. We just needed to get a striker up top, we did, and it all came together.

'We need to continue that now for the next two to three games and concentrate on what we do as we want to stay in this league.'

Top goalscorer Pipe will miss tomorrow's game as he is away. Reserve-team player Sam Bryant will replace him in Diss's squad.