Two second-half goals finally stamped Bungay’s authority on a game which they almost totally dominated.

Numerous chances went begging, particularly in the first half, and the woodwork was struck twice, before leading scorer Aiden Lowe struck his 16th goal of the season and Luke Spear grabbed the second.

With Beccles and Bradenham both winning, the Black Dogs now cannot finish in the top two in the table, but with rumours that a third promotion spot might be available they have an outside chance of grabbing that – although they are only rumours.

Within 90 seconds Mark Clay took a great ball from Dom Mirner round the keeper but his shot from an angle struck the post and his follow-up effort was cleared. Josh Knights landed a cross-shot on the roof of the net, and Lowe had a header taken comfortably by the keeper.

Rob Howes got down well to a low effort in a rare Walsham raid. Soon after Bungay had the ball in the net as Lowe robbed the keeper on the right and squared it for Knights to net, but it was ruled out for offside. Loud appeals for a penalty were ignored by the referee as Mirner was felled in the box, and a great surge forward by Tom Daniels gave John Riches the chance to fire a 20-yard shot just too high, before Daniels sent a 30-yard screamer fizzing an inch over the bar.

The first minute of the second half brought the breakthrough as Lowe lashed a great 20-yard volley past the keeper after a fine ball from Daniels put him clear. Little was seen of the North Walsham attack, though they did float a free-kick across the six-yard box which no one got a touch on.

In the 67th minute Knights rattled the bar with a first-time shot from the edge of the area, and Lowe squandered an even better chance as Bungay sought the cushion of a second goal. It finally came in the 75th minute as Spear’s pace won him the ball wide on the right and he cut in to fire a low shot which somehow crept under the keeper and ended up in the net.

Bungay Town: R Howes, S Olley, C Hunting (B Solomon), S Whiteman, T Daniels, D Mirner, J Riches, N Wesby-Burrows (D Wilby) , M Clay (L Spear), A Lowe, J Knights.

Tomorrow Bungay entertain Hellesdon (2.30pm) and on Tuesday Scole are the visitors (7.30pm), games they must win to have any chance of third.