Debenham LC 0, Kirkley & Pakefield 1 KIRKLEY made it five wins on the spin for a Royal flush of victories that keeps the pressure on the three teams above them at the top of the table.

Debenham LC 0, Kirkley & Pakefield 1

KIRKLEY made it five wins on the spin for a Royal flush of victories that keeps the pressure on the three teams above them at the top of the table.

And this fifth straight success, achieved in just 17 days, meant that K&P finished the month of March at the top of the form guide.

Victory in this Suffolk derby in difficult conditions at Debenham on Tuesday came courtesy of Robert Woodcock's sixth league goal of the season, as the cool keeper kept his composure once more to keep his remarkable penalty run going and seal the win with this solitary strike.

With the game passing a late pitch inspection to get the go-ahead, K&P- with a tough run of games ahead coming in quick succession - took the opportunity to make two changes as Ian Dawson and Taz Grint were rested, as they dropped to the bench, with Bodie Carter returning in midfield and Dave Tarawalli given his first start under the management duo of Larter and Reynolds at right back.

Debenham started the game brightly and within a minute Ian Gedny's rasping drive was touched onto the post by Woodcock.

But with the early pressure weathered, the visitors hit back and began to take control of the game after the opening 15 minutes. Left back Scott Manning's run could have brought a penalty had he gone down under Neil Gooderham's challenge.

However midway through the first half Manning broke once more and he was brought down by Dale Vince, with Woodcock beating his opposite number emphatically from the spot.

It remained 1-0 at the interval and in the second half, K&P were 'excellent' according to joint manager Stewart Larter. And had it not been for a fine display from the home keeper the score could easily have been 'four or five.'

The visitors had plenty of chances to add to their lead, with Harvey-Cooper, Key and Tarawalli all going close, but The Royals were indebted to centre half Joe Jefford late on as he deflected Vince's shot over the bar, in what was Debenham's solitary strike at goal in the second half.

K&P: Woodcock, Tarawalli, Jefford, De Coteau, Manning, Martin, Carter, Key, Harvey-Cooper, Stock, McKenna. Subs: Grint, Dawson.

MoM: Ryan De Coteau.