March Town’s most determined performance of the season so far wasn’t enough as they slipped to a heart-breaking Buildbase FA Vase defeat to higher-level Gorleston on Saturday.

The Hares travelled to face the Norfolk-based side who are yet to be beaten in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, but fell just one goal adrift in a 3-2 defeat.

The home side began on the front foot early on but Dan Woods came close to giving March a shock lead with two efforts on goal.

However, Gorleston’s first real attack produced the opening goal when Ashley King stole in ahead of his marker and found the net.

March worked their way back into the game and notched a deserved equaliser in the 33rd minute when a far-post cross arrived at the feet of Lewis Thompson, who prodded home.

The Hares’ joy at finding an equaliser was short-lived, however, as Connor Ingram’s composed finish just six minutes later gave his side the lead once more.

March pressed for another equaliser in the second period, putting pressure on the Gorleson goal with a number of well-taken corners, but the hosts kept them at bay.

Matt Cox tested Taurean Molloy in the Gorleston goal with a stinging drive with eight minutes to play, before the home side notched the decisive goal courtesy of Jack Garrod, who lashed home after a ball across the box.

The Hares showed terrific fight and determination to pull a goal back in added time through David Jackson’s thumping strike and came within inches of completing a remarkable comeback, but Matthew Barber could only steer his free header wide of the post.