Bridgham United were involved in a real game of two halves at Castle Acre Swifts in Division Two of the Central & South Norfolk League.

They left themselves with a mountain to climb after a poor first half.

Bridgham did start well and, after Ben Mannion had been fouled, they were awarded an early penalty but Scott Marketis fired his spot kick wide.

The home side then went close twice but they did take the lead after some poor defending for 1-0.

Castle Acre continued to create chances with Billy Gorman needing to pull off some good saves to keep Bridgham in the game.

Marketis then fired a rare Bridgham chance past the post but it was Castle Acre looking much sharper as they made it 2-0 with a good finish and then 3-0 after more slack defending by Bridgham.

After some firm words at half-time Bridgham responded in the second half and quickly made it 3-1 when Liam Levy-Twomey scored from a penalty after a handball.

Steve Wycherley then passed into the box and Levy-Twomey turned and fired past the home keeper for 3-2 as Bridgham continued to press Castle Acre.

However, midway through the half the home side scored direct from a free kick for 4-2.

Bridgham kept going and Adam Bunting saw a header go just over but they did make it 4-3 when Marketis ran from midfield and passed to Frankie Lake who ran into the box and finished well.

Bridgham pushed in the final few minutes for an equaliser but it was not to be as they unfortunately had left themselves a little too much to do.

However, they had at least shown good character and spirt to comeback as they did in the second half. Defender Adam Bunting was awarded the man of the match award.

The result leaves Bridgham in sixth place with 19 points from their 12 games.

Elsewhere in Division Two Dereham Taverners strengthened their promotion aspirations after a 2-0 win over bottom of the table Rampant Horse.

Second-placed Brandon Town Reserves were convincing 4-0 winners over third-placed Yaxham.