Fakenham were plunged into relegation danger after losing by two wickets at bottom club Halstead on Saturday.Sean Cooper's side are now just 15 points clear of Halstead, with the side finishing bottom facing relegation.

Fakenham were plunged into relegation danger after losing by two wickets at bottom club Halstead on Saturday.

Sean Cooper's side are now just 15 points clear of Halstead, with the side finishing bottom facing relegation. There are seven league games left, the next against fourth-bottom Clacton at home on Saturday.

At Halstead, a half-century from Ben Harvey (57) enabled Fakenham to recover from 81 for four, as he featured in a stand of 89 with Phil Gray (43). Fakenham were bowled out for 232 in the 64th over, with Thomas Philp collecting four wickets.

Halstead reached 157 for five before Keegan de Ridder, having stepped up from the second team, claimed a couple of quick wickets to put Fakenham in charge. The Australian had made 39 opening the batting for Fakenham.

Eighth-wicket pair Bertie Blackwell and Mark Johnson, however, took Halstead to within a whisker of victory with a stand of 65. Imran Ali removed Johnson with Halstead still 13 runs short, but the Essex side lost no further wickets as they reached their target in the 53rd over.

Halstead (25pts) beat Fakenham (12) by two wickets at Halstead.

Fakenham: J Brown c Wells b Henry 8, K De Ridder b Spatcher 39, G Wijekoon b Cawkwell 21, S Gray c Wells b Cawkwell 4, P Gray lbw Henry 43, B Harvey c Surry b Philp 57, S Cooper b Philp 13, J Pipkin b Philp 8, L Findlay c Wells b Philp 0, R Symonds not out 6, I Ali c Wells b Henry 12; extras 21. Total (63.1 overs) 232.

Bowling: T Philp 16-1-76-4, M Henry 16.1-1-58-3, M Spatcher 8-2-25-1, J Cawkwell 12-1-37-2, D Elsbury 11-4-24-0.

Halstead: M Surry c Symonds b Cooper 29, J Wells c Brown b G Wijekoon 16, J Cawkwell c S Gray b G Wijekoon 0, A Gupta c De Ridder b Pipkin 63, M Henry run out 10, M Spatcher b K De Ridder 27, T Philp b De Ridder 4, B Blackwell not out 28, M Johnson b I Ali 36, C Douglas-Hughes not out 8; extras 13. Total (8 wkts, 52.1 overs) 234.

Bowling: I Ali 11.1-1-59-1, G Wijekoon 14-1-59-2, J Pipkin 14-1-57-1, S Cooper 6-1-25-1, K De Ridder 7-0-32-2.

In the Norfolk Alliance, Fakenham had a home 90pc losing draw at home to Hillington in Division Two.

Anthony Dobing made 124 of Hillington's 209 for nine. Fakenham skipper Paul Dunger hit 53 as his side made 201 for five.

On Saturday, Fakenham make the short trip for the derby at Dereham.

In West Norfolk League Division Two, Fakenham (167 for eight) beat Thornham (109) with Terence Bird claiming five for 13.

In Division Four, Fakenham (153) lost to promotion-challengers Beeston (159).