Beccles Town 2, Cromer Town 1Despite being short of seven potential first teamers, Beccles went top of the Anglian Combination Premier Division for the first time in many years.

Beccles Town 2, Cromer Town 1

Despite being short of seven potential first teamers, Beccles went top of the Anglian Combination Premier Division for the first time in many years.

Danny Compton made his first start of the season, joined by new signing Toby Gourbold from Great Yarmouth Town.

Alan Remblance returned as the lone striker and scored after just eight minutes.

He ran at the Cromer defence following a first-time pass from Compton, and as keeper Overton advanced he sent a superb chip over his head.

The visitors prevented the Wherrymen from pressing home their advantage.

Honeyman was seeing plenty of the ball in midfield and Matt Eves' direct running set alarm bells ringing in the home defence. But Myhill, McMorran, Shaw and Barham stood firm.

But on the half-hour the Crabs were rewarded for their efforts when, in a goalmouth scramble, Ben Sharman gave keeper Danny Cable no chance with a snap shot.

It looked as if Beccles would do well to get to half-time on level terms.

But following a terrible mix-up in the Crabs' defence Alan Remblance accepted the simplest of chances to make it 2-1.

Cable had to be at his best to keep out a Terrington header and then pulled off an even better save, getting down to block what looked a certain goal for Terrington. Then a post came to Beccles' aid.

The second half started with Cromer again having the upper hand, although at the other end Remblance dragged a shot wide.

For all Cromer's pressure, they struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.

Beccles were rocked by Remblance going off with what looked a bad ankle injury with 20 minutes to go, Danny Ward replacing him.

It forced Beccles to adopt a 'what we have, we hold' attitude as further injuries to Nick Day and Andy Woods forced further changes, including a debut for Jason Clarke - reward for seven goals in two reserve games.

With time running out Cromer spurned a glorious chance of an equaliser when Terrington could not connect.

Huge credit went to the defence, who have conceded just two goals in five games.

Tomorrow, Beccles entertain second-place North Walsham at College Meadow, 2.30pm ko.