Fakenham suffer FA Vase defeat to Thetford on penalties, Downham beaten by Lowestoft and Heacham held by Cornard

Fakenham Town crashed out of the FA Vase after a penalty shoot-out defeat at Thetford Town.

In league action, Downham Town suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Lowestoft in the Isthmian League North, while Heacham drew 1-1 with Cornard United in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

The FA Vase affair between Thurlow Nunn Premier Division rivals Thetford and Fakenham was always going to be a close affair - and so it proved.

Going into the tie, the Brecklanders occupied fifth spot in the league standings while the Ghosts were fourth with only goal difference separating the two sides.

Former Linnets midfielder Cameron King fired the home side in front at Mundford Road, only for his goal to be cancelled out by Louis Mason-Henman 11 minutes from time.

Both sides had chances to win it in an entertaining encounter, but ultimately it came down to the penalty spot.

Fakenham goalkeeper Luke Pearson saved Harvey Lott's spot-kick, but with Lewis Bonner and Pearson eventually missing their penalties, the home side eventually triumphed 5-4 from the spot.

Next up for the Ghosts is a home League Challenge Cup tie against Heacham on Tuesday night before a league trip to Lakenheath on Saturday.

In the Isthmian League North, Downham Town slipped back into the relegation spots as they suffered their third successive defeat.

Aaron Bullent and Gabriel Overton were on target for the Trawlerboys at the Memorial Field.

Downham Town ended the game with ten men following the dismissal of William Moxon for picking up two yellow cards.

The home side handed a debut to Samuel Tessler, signed on loan from St Ives on a dual registration towards the end of the week.

Next up for Dale Stokes' side is a trip to league leaders Maldon and Tiptree on Saturday.

Over at Station Road, Heacham were pegged back by Cornard United after taking a first-half lead through Jake Poore.

The result leaves the Magpies 17th in the league standings ahead of their trip to Fakenham in the League Challenge Cup on Tuesday evening.

After that, Paul Hunt's side travel to Stowmarket Town on Saturday.

Fakenham Town: Pearson, Rasberry, Bonner, Sturman, Coslett, Wright, Malenguka, Henman-Mason, Watts, Henman, Cruz. Subs: Page, Nantongwe, Piggott, Fisher, Morohan.

Heacham: Pishorn, Parker, Robinson, Hutton, Harwood, Pightling, Hunt, Hilliard, Forde, Jake Poore, Hawes. Subs: Easton, Willmott, Congreve, Jaden Poore, Smith.

Downham Town: Briggs, Davies, Moxon, N. Castellan, Tessler, M. Castellan, Visocanskis, White, Edge, McQuaid, Varela. Subs: Gakyi, Gould, Bird, Murkin.