Melford started well and created a series of goal scoring opportunities in the first 10 minutes. After just 4 minutes a goal looked likely when Melford’s top scorer Flack latched on to Banya’s through ball but he fired over the bar.

Moments later Statham bundled his way through in the penalty area but rushed his shot, which failed to trouble Diss keeper McAnally.

Another good chance came around the 10-minute mark when from a free kick the unmarked Flack’s header fell agonisingly between the goal and Banya, who was arriving at the far post. Soon after this Banya was allowed time and space in the area but on the half volley shot high over the bar.

Diss Town had not made a good start to the match and 12 minutes passed before they constructed their first meaningful attack – a dangerous cross from the right that evaded everyone.

Diss weathered the early storm and were looking increasingly threatening as the first half progressed. In the 15^th minute Huckle raced through on goal but was forced wide and Sibley came out to block.

On 28 minutes Diss’ midfielder Bryant header over when unmarked and well placed in the area and in the 36^th minute Catchpole’s shot took a deflection and on another day could have ended up in the back of the net. From the resulting corner Diss caused havoc in the Melford defence but the home side survived.

By now Melford’s attacks were few and far between and Diss had another good chance from a free kick but Sibley tipped the header over the bar. A few minutes before half time Huckle was through on goal and Sibley needed to make a fine save, low down to his left, to keep the score 0-0.

A Diss goal looked likely at this point but against the run of play Melford took the lead on the stroke of half time. A hopeful ball forward was not dealt with by the Diss defence and Flack did well to get himself into a shooting position. However, McAnally was out quickly to smother Flack’s shot at the expense of a corner. Costello’s corner found Flack whose pass was helped on by Fisher and there was CAWTHERAY at the far post to apply the finish. 1-0 to Melford and that was to be the final kick of the first half.

Diss started the second half in a positive fashion and within a few minutes Watts-Sturrock supplied a nice cross from the right that should really have been put away but luckily for Melford it evaded everyone.

The equaliser came in the 49^th minute. Catchpole hit a good low shot that hit the post and although Melford had opportunites to clear their lines after this a penalty was awarded for a foul on Wynne in the ensuing goalmouth melee. GARNER stepped up to clinically dispatch the penalty, giving Sibley no chance.

10 minutes later and Sibley needed to save shots from Huckle and Watts-Sturrock. Melford were struggling to create much and McAnally in the Diss goal had little to deal with in the second half.

In the 65^th minute Diss took the lead. Jenkinson was allowed too much time and space down the right to deliver the perfect cross which was headed in at the far post by BRYANT to put the visitors ahead.

A few minutes later a Costello corner caused the Diss defence problems, Melford nearly scored in the goalmouth scramble with several shots blocked and amidst the chaos Melford had a penalty appeal for handball turned down. This was a better period for Melford and Flack and Skeggs combined well to create a half chance for Grindrod who shot over the bar.

Diss were always a threat on the counter attack and on 80 minutes some good defending by the pacey Durell rescued Melford. Late on, another counter attack resulted in Huckle running through on goal but his shot was well saved by the impressive Sibley.

MELFORD: Sibley, McKnight, French, Crissell, Durell, Cawtheray, Dean Costello, Statham, Flack, Banya, Fisher      Subs: Grindrod (for Fisher), Skeggs (for Statham), King (for Costello), Dack, Earl