It looked at half-time, when Wimbledon held a deserved 9-7 lead, as if they were about to end Norwich's impressive long unbeaten run.

Then an apparent loss of concentration for a 20 minute period during the second half allowed the home side to amass 21 points without reply.

During that spell Wimbledon stand-off Richard Perkins missed two critical penalties.

Wimbledon mounted a spirited fightback during the closing stages, which eventually led to a try by scrum-half Todd Pullar to add to Perkins' three successful first half penalties - but it was too little, too late.

It was particularly disappointing for the Wimbledon forwards who, although under pressure in the tight, won more than their share of the ball and defended superbly.

The backs did too for most of the match, but their attacks were all too frequently snuffed out by the Norwich defence, and they never really looked like breaking through.

The frailty of their defence though, during that fateful 20 minute period, was all that Norwich needed to virtually assure their promotion to Jewson (National) League Two.

Wimbledon will be looking to bounce back in their Surrey Cup match against Old Caterhamians on Sunday.

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