Fakenham Town’s bid to beat the drop gained an unlikely boost at high-flying Kirkley & Pakefield.

The Ghosts were widely expected to lose against Kirkley, fifth and having won their last six Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division matches, but drew 0-0. Fakenham once again proved to be difficult opposition for their hosts having come close to getting something back in August, when they were only beaten at home by a late goal from Kirkley’s Ross King.

This time around however no-one could find a way through, and the points ended up being shared – the fairest result after a very even 90 minutes in all aspects.

Ghosts boss Wayne Anderson will be hoping that the point against a quality top-five side can spur his squad on to getting results in the impending run-in.

But time is running out with just five games left in the season. The Ghosts are in desperate need of as many points as possible as they look to preserve their top-flight status for another year – a task perhaps made less daunting with the fact that three of those ties feature teams mathematically catchable.

Results over the Easter period had favoured a Fakenham miracle, but this weekend wasn’t so kind with a 1-0 Thetford Town win at Ipswich Wanderers – the side that the Ghosts visit on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Then it’s the visit of Thetford to Clipbush Park on Tuesday for the second of two games which could shape Fakenham’s season. Before last night’s fixtures, the Ghosts were seven points adrift of safety.

Elsewhere, Fakenham’s reserve side were due to welcome Bungay Town on Saturday, but were unable to raise a side and had to cancel the game. It’ll mean a points deduction, although that won’t affect the Anglian Combination Division Three position of 12th too much.

They’ll be hoping that cancellation isn’t the case when Beccles Caxton visit on Saturday afternoon (2pm).

Fakenham Town Ladies won 3-2 at Bungay Town with the goals coming from Rochelle Woods (2) and Nat Wright. A trip to Aylsham is on the cards for Sunday (2pm).

The Ghosts are still welcoming applications to their youth five-a-side tournament (under-6s to under-15s), and places are filling up fast. The event is being held at Clipbush Park on the weekend of June 25-26. More details can be found on the club’s official website – www.fakenhamtownfc.co.uk.

n Dereham Town, who host Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday before visiting Soham Town Rangers on Tuesday, lost 1-0 at Thamesmead on Saturday.