A quick return fixture at Notcutts Park saw fifth-placed Woodbridge Town gain revenge for their Boxing Day defeat over sixth-placed Kirkley & Pakefield.

The Royals welcomed back Lewis Flower and Kyle Haylock, with not fully fit Jordan Haverson on the bench. Both leading goalscorers Kaiden Goldspink and Liam Harvey-Cooper were also missing, the latter having had knee surgery in midweek.

The match kicked off with the home team on attack and Alex Greggor missed with the goal at his mercy, injuring himself in the process.

It was the 13th minute that the Royals had their first attack with a good solo run by Haylock whose effort was put out for a corner. At the other end keeper Adam Rix made a good stop from centre forward Keeble before Haylock produced another good run and centre from the right with nobody there to take advantage.

After a goalless first half the second half was very entertaining and just two minutes in Rix spread himself on the edge of the area to make a good save.

On 54 minutes the Royals were unlucky when a good header from substitute Lopez went just over. Then, on 56 minutes, Woodpeckers' midfielder Ben Garnham opened the scoring with a fine strike from the edge of the area. They would have increased their lead but for a blinding save from Rix to keep out a fierce drive from Kelsey Trotter.

The Royals then equalised following a long Haylock throw which saw Lee Will shoot in from close range. Jack Hutchinson replaced the injured Kieron Baldwin on 78 minutes before, on 81 minutes, an uncharacteristic mistake from Royals' full-back Max Wall letting in former Ipswich player Carlos Edwards to smash home from the edge of the area.

The home team were back attacking and in the next minute increased their lead when a good through ball saw centre forward Ryan Keeble finish in fine style.

The Royals still kept battling away and with 84 minutes on the clock Will capitalised on a mix-up at the back to put in his and his team's second.

The Royals battled to the end but could not get that goal to level the scores as Woodbridge claimed a deserved win.

Kirkley & Pakefield: A Rix, C Bell, M Wall, L Hammond, J Herbert, L Flower, K Haylock, K Baldwin (J Hutchinson 78), L Will, C Russell, G Soares (M Lopez 46). Unused subs: K Collyer, J Haverson.

This Saturday sees a derby with Kirkley & Pakefield travelling the short distance to Emerald Park to play Gorleston in league match (kick-off 3pm). This is the third meeting of the two clubs this season with the Royals winning both to date at home in the league and away in the FA Vase.

The Reserves are at Walmer Road hosting Aylsham in a Anglian Combination Division One league match (kick-off 2pm). In the Lowestoft & District League Division One K&P U23 are at home on the Team Lauren Lou 3G Arena against Spexhall Huntsman & Hounds (kick-off 2pm). Whilst in Division Two the K&P B team play Crusaders FC at Normanston Park (kick-off 2pm).

Last Saturday the K&P Reserves continued their good start to the new year with a 2-0 home win against Thetford Rovers. The U23 team lost 4-1 at Norton Athletic, with the B team departing from the Suffolk Primary Cup after an 8-1 home defeat to high-flying Carlton Colville Town.