SOUTH Woodham Ferrers suffered a painful 22-20 defeat against Diss in a top of the table clash in London Two North East on Saturday.

Diss’ victory moved them to within four points of second placed Woodham with six games of the season still to go.

And Woodham winger Joe Dukelow insists his side will not give up in their pursuit of the title.

“Saturday wasn’t the result we wanted but there are still a few games left and we’ll be doing all we can to try and close the gap on Diss in those remaining matches,” said Dukelow.

“The support we received from not just the club but the community as well on Saturday was great and there was so much local pride on show.

“In the first half they killed us but in the second we left everything out there and we’re all proud of each other for the way we fought back.

“It’s been a great season for the club and I see the defeat on Saturday being another catalyst in leading us to our end goal.

“The game also answered a few questions with regards in how we need to improve moving forward.”

Saturday’s clash attracted a crowd of more than 400 people.

But it was Diss who started strongly, scoring two tries inside the first 20 minutes Woodham got back into the game with two penalty kicks from Adam Brown.

However, just before half-time, Woodham found themselves down to 14 men when Ross Noakes was yellow carded and Diss took full advantage with their fly-half touching down for an unconverted try which made it 22-6 at half-time.

But, after the break, Woodham scored first when Lewis Gilbert passed high and wide to enabled Joe Dukelow to apply an impressive finish in the corner.

Brown’s conversion cut Diss’ lead to 22-13 and Woodham continued to pile on the pressure with their forward pack winning a succession of penalties in the scrum.

That eventually led to a penalty try being awarded and a Diss prop being yellow carded before Brown’s conversion made it 22-20 heading into the final few minutes of the contest.

Woodham were now pushing to complete what would have been a remarkable comeback and, with just seconds on the clock, they were awarded a penalty 45 metres from the posts.

Woodham’s very own Elliot Daly, Andy Williams, bravely stepped forward but hit the ball just wide and short of the posts.

But Woodham’s head coach Tony Woods was keen to remain upbeat.

“If at the start of the season you told me we would be four points behind a huge club like Diss with a real chance of promotion I would have snapped your arm off,” said Woods.

“The players have a week off now but I know just what this group of mates can achieve.”