Trailing by the only goal of the first half AFC Sudbury hit back after the break and clinched victory with a stoppage time winner to complete the league double over their Norfolk rivals and move up to second in the league table.

Tuesday’s game was highly entertaining affair with plenty of goal mouth action at both ends and but for the woodwork on numerous occasions and some fine saves, particularly by Marcus Garnham who was making his second AFC Sudbury home debut, there would have been other goals.

Dereham shaded the first half and were well worth their lead at the break. But Sudbury soon levelled in the second period and went on to have the better of the half but it looked as if was going to be honours even until Craig Parker headed the winner from a stoppage time corner.

AFC boss Jamie Godbold made three changes from the side that started in Saturday’s win. Defender James Baker returned from his one game ban and midfielder’s Ollie Berquez and Liam Wales were given starts at the expense of Ross Bailey and Jack Newman who dropped to the bench.

The game was only three minutes old when the woodwork came to Dereham’s aid when Luke Callander’s header bounced off the crossbar to safety.

It had been a bright start for Sudbury and Callander had two other efforts saved before it was Dereham’s turn to be denied by the woodwork when Rhys Logan’s shot deflected off a defender and struck both posts before being cleared.It was great let off for AFC and from then Dereham had the better of the half with Logan causing plenty of problems down their right.

But it was from a Dereham left wing move that they broke the deadlock after 18 minutes when a dangerous low cross was turned into the net by Luke Tuttle from close range.

Dereham continued to look the more threatening but just before the break Sudbury created their best chance when Parker released Jordan Blackwell who was denied by a fine diving save by Dereham custodian Viner.

Sudbury were forced into a change at the start of the second half when defender Baker was unable to come out due to a back injury sustained in the first period.Newman came on in reshuffled defence with Stefano Mallardo moving into a central position.

Sudbury levelled two minutes after the restart when a good build-up ended when a Wales cross from the right found Callander whose header went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Callander went close again ten minutes later but this time his long range shot grazed the bar and went over. A Wales shot hit the side netting before three times in quick succession Garnham made good saves to keep Sudbury in the game.

With 14 minutes remaining Godbold made a double substitution with both Ross Bailey and young Charlie Gilbert entering the fray. Gilbert was making his first team debut and did not look out of place as Sudbury had the better of the play towards the end and yet again Callander was denied when a fierce drive struck a post and was cleared.

With time running out Sudbury won a left wing corner in stoppage time and Blackwell’s well flighted flag kick was headed home by Parker for a last gasp winner.

The AFC Man Of the Match, chosen by the games sponsors our very good friends from Walsham le Willows Sports Club (pictured above), was Marcus Garnham.

We thank them for their interest and generosity.