Ryman Div 1N: Dereham Town 4 Romford 2

Romford returned empty-handed from their long trip to Norfolk after an action-packed encounter against Dereham.

And it proved a day of mixed emotions for Boro’s Joe Oates, who netted his first goal of the season but was then sent off in the closing minutes.

Manager Paul Martin made four changes to his starting line-up following the midweek win over Ware, with James Ishmail, Jamie Dicks, Tom Richardson and Reece Tranter coming in for Matt Toms, Chris Barry, Ryan Imbert and Jordan Thomas.

And the visitors broke the deadlock on 28 minutes when Tranter beat Andy Wilton for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Boro’s joy was shortlived as Craig Bussens got the home side back on level terms just seven minutes later and the same player put Dereham ahead just before the break.

But Romford drew level when Oates netted from the penalty spot, after Daniel Morphew was given his marching orders for the hosts.

Ten-men Dereham regained the lead seven minutes after the restart, though, when Ryan Hawkins converted a spot-kick of his own.

And Bussens completed his hat-trick on the hour to leave Martin’s men with a mountain to climb in the last 30 minutes.

The visitors could not make any inroads in the time that remained and were reduced to 10 men themselves four minutes from time when Oates saw red.

And Boro will look to bounce back when they play host to local rivals Brentwood at Ship Lane tomorrow, as they aim to break the 70-point barrier for the first time in Ryman One North.

Romford: Omand, J Barry (Imbert 85), Woodward, Truman, Ishmail, Dicks, Oates, Seymour, Reynolds, Richardson, Tranter (Thomas 59).