An injury-hit Beccles Town gave in-form Sheringham a good game before going down 2-0 at College Meadow.

Beccles, who announced this week that manager Steve Batt would be standing down at the end of the season, looked up for the game from the word go and with only five minutes gone Bailey set off on one of his mazy runs and his cross found Brighton who was unable to get off a shot.

On 21 minutes Sheringham sparked into life and Nelson ran on to a quality through ball and slotted past Cable to open the scoring. Beccles competed well but were unable to penetrate a very resolute defence until 31 minutes when they awarded a free kick out on the left and Brown hit a great shot which just skimmed the bar.

On 35 minutes Sheringham were awarded a controversial penalty, but justice prevailed when Cable made a great save. Two minutes later a well directed free-kick from the Shannocks was tipped over by Cable and the resultant corner was headed away by Lovelock.

The second half started brightly for Beccles with another speedy run down the wing by Bailey, but his cross was too near to the keeper.

With 52 minutes gone Sheringham increased their lead when that man Nelson was on hand again to slot in a good cross from the right. On 60 minutes Sheringham launched another attack feeding the ball to Rogers, but Booker got in a good block to prevent the chance.

On 70 minutes Sheringham created another chance with a through ball that Cable rushed out to force wide and Booker managed to hook the ball clear. Then some clever inter-play between Bishop and Bailey left Udell with a shooting chance from 25 metres but he screwed his attempt wide.

On 75 minutes Lovelock received a nasty knock and had to go off and Squires came back on as replacement. This needed a reshuffle in the defence with Booker going into midfield.

On 85 minutes an extended series of attacks from Beccles led to a great ball to Godbold who hit the net only to be ruled offside. Three minutes later another great run by Bailey saw his cross sliced away by the Sheringham defence and the remainder of the game saw Sheringham content to play the ball across and back.

Beccles (4-3-3): Cable, Booker, Lovelock, Shaw, Squires, Harmer, Udell, Brighton, Bishop, Brown, Bailey. Subs: Boyd, Godbold, Ellis.

On Saturday the first team travel to Mattishall while the Reserves, without a game last weekend, entertain Bungay Reserves (both 2.30pm). The following Wednesday, the Reserves entertain AC Mill Lane under lights (7.30pm).