Title hopes are still alive at Shoemakers Lane, as Swaffham Town continue to keep their challenge on track in the Thurlow Nunn First Division.

Watton & Swaffham Times: Mark Allibone keeps his eye on the ball during Swaffham's (white) 3-0 win against Needham Market Reserves at Shoemakers Lane. Picture: Darren WynneMark Allibone keeps his eye on the ball during Swaffham's (white) 3-0 win against Needham Market Reserves at Shoemakers Lane. Picture: Darren Wynne (Image: Darren Wynne)

The Pedlars have been held up by postponements, playing only two matches in January and then enduring another two-week wait before Saturday's home clash with Needham Market Reserves.

Their last outing finished in an 8-2 win at Stowmarket Town and the visit of lowly Needham brought another three points, winning 3-0.

Paul Hunt's team are third and 10 points behind leaders Long Melford, but have five games in hand. Second-placed Saffron Walden Town remain in the driving seat though, just two points behind the leaders and with three games in hand.

Swaffham took the lead against Needham 22 minutes into the game when Alex Vincent latched on to a 25-yard through-ball, delivered inch perfectly by Nick Castellan, to chip the keeper from 20 yards out.

The Pedlars doubled their lead in the 74th minute when striker Vincent was played through by Joe Jackson and scored a great solo effort, dribbling up the left wing, beating two to get into the box and slotting home from an acute angle from 10 yards.

Victory was then wrapped up when Jackson reaped his own rewards for a great work rate throughout the game, cutting in from the left wing and firing past the away goalkeeper from 15 yards for 3-0.

Vincent was named man of the match, with his two goals taking his personal tally to 16 in 20 matches this season.

On Saturday the Pedlars travel to Norfolk rivals Great Yarmouth Town, just behind them in the table in fourth position. The game was abandoned because of a floodlight failure earlier this season, with Swaffham 2-0 ahead.