The visitors eased into a two-goal interval lead and added a third for good measure in the second half against a Woodbridge side who offered little goal threat throughout the 90 minutes.

There were two changes in defence from the draw at home to Norwich United the previous Saturday, with Stefan Marsh and Jamie Scales replacing Ben Miller and Grant Monaghan, who both dropped to the bench. Luke Read returned in midfield at the expense of Jon Bickers.

Scott Gray had the first chance for the visitors after eight minutes, but Marcus Garnham was out of his goal quickly to block his effort with his legs. The Woodpeckers' keeper was called into action again in the 25th minute to deny Nicky Howell after Gray had set him free down the right.

But he was powerless to prevent Woodbridge falling behind three minutes later, Robbie Harris scoring with a rising shot after Dereham had worked an opening through the middle of the home defence.

Woodbridge responded with Ben Garnham and Luke Read combining to play in Lee O'Neill whose shot was tipped away by Shaun Marshall.

Scales had to block a goal-bound shot by Danny Beaumont after Dereham broke quickly from defence following a Woodbridge corner, and Harris volleyed over the bar from the resultant flag kick by Beaumont.

Simon Peddie found Paul Hart in the 40th minute and his through ball saw O'Neill flash a shot across the face of goal and just wide of the far post.

Two minutes into injury time Dereham added a second goal, Gray finishing well after a misplaced pass by Scales saw Woodbridge punished after losing possession on the edge of their own penalty area.

Woodbridge were unable to make any impact on Dereham's well-organised defence after the break, despite making three changes, and the visitors always looked the more likely to add to their tally.

Marcus Garnham saved well down to his left after Beaumont raced away down the inside left channel in the 55th minute. The keeper came to Woodbridge's rescue again in the 73rd minute, beating away a powerful shot after Gray got in behind the home defence.

However, Dereham duly wrapped up the points four minutes later when Howell sprinted onto a ball over the top down the left wing and went round Marcus Garnham, who had rushed out of his goal, before planting his shot into an empty net.

Howell saw his effort at the far post kept out by Marcus Garnham following Harris' cross from the left, while at the other end Aaron Churchyard saw his shot blocked at the expense of a corner after a one-two with Hart.

Woodbridge Town: Marcus Garnham, Simon Peddie, Jamie Scales, Ben Garnham (sub Sean Rea 70 mins), Mark Roper, Stefan Marsh, Luke Read (sub David Kempson 70 mins), Paul Hart, Allicion Blake (sub Jon Bickers 57 mins), Lee O'Neill, Aaron Churchyard. Unused subs: Ben Miller, Grant Monaghan.