Ridgeons Premier Division: Wisbech Town 0 Dereham Town 3

FORMER winger Billy Smith came back to haunt Wisbech Town on Tuesday as the Fenmen’s 100 per cent record ended with a 3-0 defeat to Dereham Town.

Smith, who was released by Wisbech this summer, scored a stunning second goal to help fellow Ridgeons Premier Division high-flyers Dereham to victory at the Elgood’s Fenland Stadium.

Wisbech boss Steve Appleby said: “You almost knew it (Smith’s goal) was going to happen. It’s football and it’s ironic. That goal just killed us.

“You can rant and rave but I put things in perspective afterwards. We’ve got 12 points out of 15 - if we keep doing that for the rest of the season then we’ll win the league.”

Dereham took the lead in the first half after they were awarded a controversial penalty when Wisbech’s Neal Spafford rose to meet a header.

Appleby said: “Without trying to make too many excuses, the referee had a very poor game and gave an outrageous penalty. That knocked the stuffing out of us.

“We aren’t happy and we’re not quite there so this could be a bit of a timely reminder.”

Wisbech stretched their winning run to five games on Saturday as Chris Bacon (2), Callum Reed (2) and Liam Nimmo fired them to a 5-1 win over FC Clacton.

The Fenmen face rivals March at the GER in the FA Cup Preliminary Round tomorrow before travelling to CRC on Wednesday.

Appleby added: “As a footballer you can’t wait for the next game and we’ve got a great chance to put it right on Saturday. The boys will be up for it - and if they’re not then they’ll quickly end up shopping with their missus instead on a Saturday.”