As Fakenham Town approach their final three games of the Ridgeons League Division One season, they have only a mathematical chance of avoiding the wooden spoon, despite some encouraging recent performances.

As Fakenham Town approach their final three games of the Ridgeons League Division One season, they have only a mathematical chance of avoiding the wooden spoon, despite some encouraging recent performances.

On Saturday they visit a Brantham Athletic side who have an outside chance of promotion, and end with two home games. Fifth-bottom Thetford are the Tuesday night visitors to Clipbush Park (7.45), followed on May 2 by FC Clacton (3), the seventh-placed side against whom the Ghosts recently drew 1-1 away and were unlucky not to win.

Fakenham Town 0, Halstead 1

Promotion contenders Halstead took a single-goal advantage at the break. Their first effort after 10 minutes saw Townrow seize on a loose ball just inside the Fakenham half, and his lob-shot from 45 yards narrowly missed the angle. Striker Bryan powered his way into the area and sent a powerful shot just wide.

Fakenham began to get back into the game playing against the wind but found Halstead's physical presence hard to overcome. Two free-kicks in quick succession for the Ghosts were squandered before Halstead took the lead in the 36th minute when Bamford conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area and Austin swept the ball over the wall inside the left-hand post.

Fakenham were more prominent in the second half with the wind advantage but Halstead always held the edge. Fakenham still had problems overcoming Halstead's physical presence.

Fakenham: Cracknell, Tagg, Jensch, A Woodhouse, Day, Bamford, Haynes, Bryant, Pask, Betts, Cole. Subs: Raisbury, J Betts, Felton, King.