Halstead 3, Fakenham Town 0The scoreline didn't entirely reflect the competitiveness of the Ghosts' game against promotion-chasers, however it typified the problems facing a side who felt hard done by to have two “goals” ruled out.

Halstead 3, Fakenham Town 0

The scoreline didn't entirely reflect the competitiveness of the Ghosts' game against promotion-chasers, however it typified the problems facing a side who felt hard done by to have two “goals” ruled out.

A decent performance was no consolation to the Fakenham side as again they came away with nothing. Joint manager Stuart Woodhouse felt that Fakenham need to “raise the bar in order to turn defeat into positive results, and make sure the gaps in performance are filled.”

Fakenham have another tough journey on Saturday, to high-flying Tiptree.

In the first 10 minutes at Hadleigh the Ghosts struggled to get to grips with the initial pace of the game, reported player Kieran Bacon.

It took a thunderous goal from the Halstead left back to shake Town out of their torpor. The full-back advanced into the Fakenham half before striking a vicious shot that left keeper Daniel Stockdale rooted to the spot.

Fakenham began playing their way into the game, gradually taking control of possession and creating chances. They looked to have equalised when Ben Darby rose to loop a magnificent header into the far corner. The strike came from a rapid counter-attack from the edge of the Ghosts' own penalty area, showing their ability to pass the ball. However, the referee found fault with Darby's jump and disallowed the goal.

Spurred on by this apparent injustice Fakenham continued to play well with the midfield three of Kevin Whittred, Mark Critten and James Bamford and both wing backs linking well with the forwards. Fakenham were again denied by the referee after Darby was put through to place his finish past the goalkeeper. It was disallowed for a shirt tugging on the Halstead central defender as Darby ran through. Again a very harsh decision seemed to have hurt Fakenham.

At half-time Fakenham felt they should have been 2-1 up, but the second half began with instant pressure from Halstead. It didn't take long before they went 2-0 up, the Fakenham defence misjudging the flight of a long ball, leaving the striker to square the ball for the oncoming winger to smash home.

It seemed Fakenham's chance had gone and Halstead again put on pressure and were given a penalty when the striker was brought down by keeper Stockdale. The spot kick was tucked away, leaving Fakenham cursing their luck again.

Team: Daniel Stockdale, Ian Raisbury, Matthew Garrod, Adam Woodhouse, Martin Fenwick, Kieran Bacon, Kevin Whittred, James Bamford, Mark Critten, Ben Darby, Nick Haynes. Subs: John Connolly, Andrew Morgan, Mark King.

Fakenham Reserves visit Wymondham on Saturday.