Diss Town's poor run of form continued into 2018 with a second successive 4-0 home defeat, this time to promotion chasing Woodbridge Town.

Manager Jason Cooke had to field a patched-up side but will nevertheless be concerned at his team's lack of creativity and their second half capitulation.

It was always going to be a tough ask for Diss to match free-scoring Woodbridge and Cooke's plan seemed to be to defend in depth and frustrate the opposition.

The ploy appeared to be working for the first half hour as the visitors were unable to penetrate the home defence. However, Diss were the authors of their own misfortune with the opening goal.

A long ball forward was being shepherded out for a goal kick by full back Stephen Vincent but he allowed winger Matt Mackenzie to steal the ball from him and cross. There was a shout for a foul as Vincent seemed to be sent tumbling but the referee saw nothing wrong and the resultant chance saw a shot hit the arm of Diss defender Jack Tipple and a penalty awarded which Mark Ray converted.

Within two minutes of the restart the Tangerines were reduced to 10 men as Will Goulding was given a straight red for a high tackle. The incident so incensed the visitors that there was a heated confrontation between both sets of players, with even the managers of both teams getting involved.

Woodbridge doubled their lead with a second spot-kick on the hour mark, this time after a forward was sent sprawling in the box. Matt Mackenzie made no mistake, sending the ball into the corner of the Diss net. It was now a case of damage limitation for Diss, but Woodbridge added a further two late goals to seal an emphatic victory.

There was no doubt that the missing players hampered Diss, but the concern is that there seems a real lack of quality. Effort aplenty, but when it comes to any sort of precision or finesse it just isn't happening at the moment.

Town have a disjointed fixture list over the next month which won't help the development of any fluency and rhythm in their play. Their next match is home to Braintree Reserves on January 20.

Diss Town: Hayhoe, Burt, Vincent, Tipple, Malin, Myles, Lambe, Doddinton, Leitao, Goulding, Fena. Subs: Andriuskevius, O'Donoghue, Cooke, Disney, Riches.