Loddon United 1, Sheringham 2There were no stars in this defeat, but for general consistency the Musker McIntyre man of the match goes, yet again, to Richard Durrant.

Loddon United 1, Sheringham 2

There were no stars in this defeat, but for general consistency the Musker McIntyre man of the match goes, yet again, to Richard Durrant.

The first five minutes was fairly open. Dan Andersen and Matthews set up Ricky Summons for a cross which the keeper just tipped away from the head of Sadler.

Matthews got to the corner, but the keeper foiled Hancock on the line. Sheringham then had a couple of shots from distance which failed to bother Collins. The Summons brothers hustled well in midfield, giving the visitors little time to settle.

Matthews and Marjoribanks combined well, the former just failing to find the target. Gary Summons had a shot over and Durrant blocked at the back as the game swung from end-to-end.

Great defending by Sadler frustrated his opponent enough to earn a booking. Baylis and Durrant blocked well and Collins was at full stretch to palm a shot away.

Durrant went on a run and was fouled. Marjoribanks, looking to shoot, intelligently played the ball short to Dan Andersen but he fired over. Matthews flicked on a Hancock throw, the ball hit the raised arm of a defender - but the referee played on.

On 30 minutes, a speculative cross from Sheringham's left floated over Collins and hit the top of the bar. Moments later a corner was not cleared and an overhead kick found the net to put the visitors in the lead.

Dan Andersen had a chip tipped over as the visiting keeper comfortably dealt with most of Loddon's crosses. A free-kick for hand-ball was wasted, but then a great move, involving Gary Summons and Matthews, started and finished by Robin Andersen won a corner.

Hancock looked to be pushed as he went to meet the cross, but claims were waved away. Sheringham then broke away and won a corner themselves which was driven to the edge of the box and fired inside Collins' right-hand post through a crowd of players.

Loddon responded immediately. Durrant started a neat move ending with a flick-on by Matthews to Marjoribanks, who turned and hit a sweet shot over the keeper into the top corner for a deserved goal.

Loddon could have got on terms just before the break. Gary Summons found Robin Andersen who crossed for Matthews beyond the far post but he was unable to guide his volley goalwards.

Loddon were far too slow getting into their stride after the break. A Sheringham free-kick on the edge of the box was deflected by Ricky Summons, hit a post and luckily went for a goal kick. Durrant had a shot from 40 yards and Baylis struggled to reach a deep corner as Loddon failed to create any clear chances.

Twenty minutes into the half Brown replaced the hobbling Marjoribanks. His first touch was to chip a free-kick towards Matthews, but again the keeper was there first. Collins had to save twice with his feet as the visitors, now dominating possession, broke again.

They had further chances off target before Brown headed on for Matthews who was then brought down in the box.

The linesman flagged but the referee, much further away, decided to over-rule him, much to the frustration of home team and supporters. A good cross by Sadler was cleared to Brown who fired over. Finally, Loddon did make a golden chance to level. A cross from the left found Matthews in space six yards out.

With only the keeper to beat, he headed down but the ball bounced up to the bar and back into the beaten keeper's hands.

It wasn't to be. Gary Summons was booked and replaced by Parkin who then had a half-chance at the near post from a Sadler cross. Greenhalf came on for Baylis for the closing minutes, but Loddon failed to conjure the equaliser they perhaps didn't deserve.

Loddon: Collins; Hancock, Baylis, Durrant, Andersen R, Andersen D, Summons G, Summons R, Sadler, Matthews, Marjoribanks. Subs: Brown, Greenhalf, Parkin.