Carl Rook bagged a brace to guide Leatherhead to their first home win since the end of August with a determined 2-0 win over Wingate & Finchley.

Tanners boss Richard Brady rang the changes with club captain Richard Avery back for his first Ryman Premier start in over a month after a foot injury, while Ryan Dolby moved forward to take the place vacated by the recently departed Vas Karagiannis.

Adam Green, signed in midweek on a month’s loan from Dartford, slotted in at left back, while Becka Kah Dembele took the central midfield position vacated by the suspended Kiernan Hughes-Mason.

Leatherhead made a hesitant start and nearly paid the price as the visitors broke clear after three minutes.

Tommy Tejan-Sei forced a fine save from Tanners keeper Louis Wells, who smothered the Wingate midfielder’s close range effort.

Tanners allowed the visitors to keep possession for long periods while restricting their opportunities in front of goal with some solid defending in the back line.

Leatherhead took the lead against the run of play after 25 minutes - Dolby won possession wide on the left and sent a long ball forward to Rook in the middle, who took one touch before firmly planting a shot past Wingate keeper Bobby Smith.

The visitors missed a chance to level just before the break, with Tejan-Sei heading wide from a tight angle.

The referee penalised the Wingate defence for several untidy challenges at the start of the second half.

Tanners failed to take advantage of a quick succession of free kicks awarded in the visitors’ half, but they doubled their lead on 61 minutes after another fine delivery from Dolby.

The midfielder picked out Dembele with a pinpoint pass and the young midfielder tested Smith with a fierce drive from 30 yards.

The Wingate keeper blocked his shot with a diving save, but the loose ball fell invitingly for Rook to tap home from close range.

Tanners saw out the final 25 minutes with 10 men after Green was shown two yellow cards for a pair of forceful challenges.

Brady shored up Leatherhead’s defence with some tactical substitutions in the closing stages but the visitors threatened to get a goal back.

Wells made a smart save from Leon Fisher after 80 minutes before tipping a late effort from Tejan-Sei against the bar.

Tanners travel to second-placed Margate on Saturday for their next match, kick-off is at 3pm.

Leatherhead: Louis Wells, Ryan Cooper, Adam Green, Richard Avery, Joe Bruce, Jerry Nnamani, Becka Kah Dembele ( Ryan Mahal 72), Paul Semakula, Carl Rook (Mark Nwokeji 76), Stacy Long (Bode Anidugbe 87), Ryan Dolby.

Unused subs: Jevan Palmer, George Gill