Beccles travelled to Cromer knowing the Crabs were desperate to win to prolong their championship challenge.Beccles, after a brilliant midweek win at Norwich Union, had all but banished their relegation worries but again were forced into changes,Midweek scorer Cai King was working offshore and influential midfielder Lee Pike was unavailable following a head injury midweek.

Beccles travelled to Cromer knowing the Crabs were desperate to win to prolong their championship challenge.

Beccles, after a brilliant midweek win at Norwich Union, had all but banished their relegation worries but again were forced into changes,

Midweek scorer Cai King was working offshore and influential midfielder Lee Pike was unavailable following a head injury midweek. On the plus side Chris Mayhew had returned from university for the weekend and Craig Peters got a start in centre midfield.

The condition of the pitch meant passing football would be at a premium. Beccles got off to a truly desperate start. A failure to pick up winger James Hunton allowed him to head powerfully home at the far post unchallenged inside a minute.

But it failed to bring a Cromer onslaught as Beccles wrestled the initiative from their high-flying hosts.

Although clear-cut chances were at a premium, Beccles had the lion's share of the possession. The midfield of Nick Day and Peters tried hard to get Beccles moving. The twin Terrington strike force was being kept in check by the impressive partnership of captain Sam Barham and Chris Mayhew.

Half time saw Beccles still in the game. However, as the second half started Beccles conceded a second within a minute. Again a needless defensive error saw Simon Durrant slot home No 2.

Cromer were rampant and the Beccles rearguard had to up its beat to repel all the home side threw at it.

Then Beccles thought they had played their way back into the game. Waterman advanced down the left before Kemp tackled long after the ball had gone in the area. The official gave a corner with the entire Beccles team and bench appealing for a penalty.

Still Beccles came forward and Scott Daniels and Waterman were unlucky as the game was approaching time added on. Nick Day's shot from another Beccles corner was handled on the line.

Cromer captain Ryan Honeyman was ordered off and Waterman sent the keeper the wrong way with the penalty.

Barham and Mayhew joined the attack as Beccles piled forward after the equaliser their performance had warranted, but to no avail

Tomorrow, Beccles travel to Sprowston Athletic, ko 2.30pm, College Meadow.