MALDON AND TIPTREE suffered their first defeat in four games losing 3-1 at Dereham Town in the Ryman North.
The Jammers have enjoyed something of a resurgence since Alan Kimble took over, but this defeat means they remain in the relegation places, in 22nd place.
Things started well for the visitors with a well worked goal after just seven minutes, when Max Lette-Jallow got the ball out to Jack Stevenson and his precise centre was cleverly headed home by Cliff Akurang.
Hopes of holding the lead for some time were soon dashed when just three minutes later the home side drew level when Maldon and Tiptree gave away a silly free kick on the edge of their penalty area. Aaron Key stepped up to put his precise kick round the wall and past keeper Lewis Moore's despairing dive.
Dereham increased their lead on 29 minutes when a good cross from full back Frazer Blake-Tracy found Ryan Hawkins in the box and he fairly easily sidestepped a couple of defenders before firing past the helpless Moore.
The third came after 58 minutes and it was not a good piece of defending by the visitors, who allowed Michael Clunan's long free kick from wide on the left to travel all the way to the far post where substitute Matt Hockley found himself unmarked and he was able to easily head home unopposed
Then, with just a few minutes to play, the game suffered a 45 minute delay due to an injury to Dereham's Liam Upton that needed attendance by an ambulance. On the restart it was clear that both teams' hearts were in the game and it was a relief to all when the referee blew the final whistle.
