Bungay Town 1, Poringland Wanderers 2.

THE threat of relegation looms larger over Bungay following this defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Poringland in a “six pointer” at the Maltings Meadow on Saturday – and they will hope for better this weekend at Holt.

There was little between the two sides and the Black Dogs probably had the best chances, but were unable to convert them.

They remain one from bottom in the Anglian Combination Division One, level on points with Hindringham, but with a better goal difference.

Ash Ling got away down the right early on but, with Dan Andrews unmarked in the centre, he tried to go it alone and his shot was blocked.

And it was the visitors who took the lead in the 12th minute as Chris Reynolds beat Gary Foyster with a 30-yard free-kick which seemed to dip over the keeper. As they fought back, the Black Dogs put together a good move which saw Andrews set up Russell Tuffs for a shot, but it was well wide.

In another break Dan Lowe set up a chance for Andrews but the striker’s shot was blocked for a corner, before Ling hit the bar with a header from James Youngman’s cross.

The home side put together a good spell and in the 31st minute the keeper made a great save from Ling’s header. And when the ball was crossed in again Andrews, at the far post, could not direct his header. When Kevin Riches found Ling with a fine ball, his cross/shot was just wide of the far post.

The deserved equaliser came in the 36th minute as Andrews beat his man for speed to get to the byline and cross to the far post where Riches was on hand to score from close range.

Before the interval Andrews almost beat the keeper to a through-ball.

Bungay started the second half well and Tom Cole put Andrews away. The striker held off a challenge to get in a drive which just cleared the bar.

Shortly after, the keeper made a miraculous save from a fierce Ling volley.

Shaun Whiteman saved the day for Bungay when a forward outpaced the home defence, and another Poringland effort also flew just wide. But at this stage it looked as if Bungay would get the next goal, and Cole tested the keeper with one effort.

But the visitors weathered the Bungay pressure and began to create chances. Foyster saved the day when he came out to block a shot, and with 15 minutes left Poringland scored what proved the winner as they broke down the right and the ball was turned inside for Chris Talford to slot it home from eight yards.

Riches tested the keeper with a fierce drive before the end, but he would have done better to cross.