Last Saturday's derby saw Kirkley & Pakefield beat Gorleston for the third time this season, with a second half penalty sealing the win.

On a bitterly cold afternoon it was the away team who took up the early attacking, with the hosts defending well.

The Greens then had a spell of pressure with Royals' keeper Adam Rix twice coming to the rescue with good saves, one from a well hit Connor Ingram special. On 25 minutes Lewis Hammond had a good shot from 20 yards for the Royals but the keeper saved and five minutes later Lee Will's free-kick on the edge of the area was well saved.

The second half saw early attacking again from the Royals and on 50 minutes Miguel Lopez received the ball in the area hand is square pass to Will saw his shot handled in the area, resulting in a penalty which Cameron Russell slammed home with confidence.

On 56 minutes keeper Rix made an outstanding save from Peter Lambert and then on 62 minutes a good centre across goal from the left saw the same player fail to nudge the ball home. Play became very ragged, with tempers frayed and the referee intervening regularly which saw both teams clock up five yellow cards.

With five minutes remaining the Royals looked destined for another penalty after Jordan Haverson appeared to be fouled in the area but the referee saw differently and no penalty was awarded. Play was then held up with Haverson down with what looked a nasty head injury. An ambulance was called which responded very rapidly and Haverson was bandaged up and taken to hospital where he had eight stitches in a head wound.

Play then resumed some 30 minutes later for the final five minutes with the Royals holding out for a welcome three points after two successive defeats, keeping them in the top six.

Team: A Rix, C Bell, M Wall, L Hammond, J Herbert (c), L Flower, K Haylock, M Lopez, C Russell, L Will, J Haverson (K Goldspink 86). Unused subs: K Baldwin, G Soares.

The Royals have a rare weekend off before starting February with a run of five matches in 15 days. The Reserves are at Walmer Road entertaining Hindringham in a Anglian Combination Division One (2pm). In the Lowestoft and District League Division One K&PFC U23s are also without a game while the B team are at home on the Team Lauren Lou 3G Arena against top of the table Celt Rangers (2pm).

Last Saturday the Reserves lost 4-1 at home to title chasing Aylsham (James Gill) while the U23s drew 3-3 with Spexhall Huntsman & Hound and the B team beat Crusaders 2-1 on Normanston Park.