Swaffham Town discovered why it is a matter of making the most of the chances and opportunities to score goals in order to win the game as they lost 2-1 at home to Wivenhoe Town.

Too many missed chances and not enough courage to have a go is costing the Pedlars games and valuable points.

Still plagued by missing players through injury, work and family commitments, Paul Hunt’s young squad put on a fine game of entertaining football played in the manner and spirit everyone is so pleased to see at Shoemakers Lane – but that killer instinct still has to be nurtured.

Against the run of play, Wivenhoe took the lead in the 20th minute – there was a suspicion of handball but the goal was given.

The game was all square in the last minute of the half, with Sary Rahma slotting under the keeper from 12 yards, giving the Pedlars a level playing field for the second half.

There was much better possession and football in the second half but Swaffham were unable to convert.

Captain Alex Vincent came closest, but his volley from the edge of the penalty box parried over the bar by the Wivenhoe goalkeeper.

The visitors finally clinched the game with five minutes to go, their only goal threat of the half beating Dan Gentry to his left-hand side.

Last night the Pedlars were due to host Gorleston in the League Challenge Cup.

Following that, there are two critical league games to come. Swaffham are away to Ipswich Wanderers, who are ninth in the table, on Saturday and then they are at home to Saffron Walden Town, who occupy 12th position, on Tuesday.

It means there are vital points to be won in order to avoid the possibility of relegation from the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

It’s been better news for the Reserves, who picked up three valuable points away at Brandon Town.

Brandon is not an easy venue to pick up points, so great credit goes to Chris Carter, Nathan Pack and their squad for a job very well done.

Kurtis Callaby got the only goal from the game, slowly notching up his tally for the season. On Saturday they entertain Freethorpe at Shoemakers Lane.