Leatherhead’s run of home defeats was extended to six matches on Saturday after a disappointingly flat performance and 2-1 scoreline against Witham Town.

The Essex visitors took a two-goal lead inside half an hour before Kiernan Hughes-Mason pulled one back before half-time.

However, despite plenty of pressure in the second-half Tanners could not find a way to break down Witham’s defence for another goal - and they dropped to 15th in the Ryman Premier table.

Leatherhead manager Richard Brady stuck by the same starting 11 that comprehensively out-played and beat Hampton & Richmond Borough at the Beveree on Tuesday.

But any pre-match hopes of a repeat performance were quickly extinguished as the visitors dominated the opening exchanges.

Tanners gave the ball away in midfield after four minutes, allowing Witham striker Kurt Smith through on goal.

Joe Bruce tracked back to clear off the line, but it was an early warning that any defensive slip-ups would be severely punished.

On 11 minutes, Danny Emmanuel broke clear for the visitors, feeding a ball through to new-signing Jack Paxman.

The former Thurrock player forced a good save from Tanners keeper Louis Wells, who turned the ball behind for a corner.

After 13 minutes Witham won a free-kick thirty-five yards from goal. Tom Wraight struck the ball firmly to the Wells’ right. But once again the Leatherhead keeper was equal to it with another tidy save.

Leatherhead had their first opportunity in front of the visitors’ goal after 16 minutes but Dembele rushed his shot, firing wide from the edge of the box.

Wimbledon Times:

Early warning: Joe Bruce saved Leatherhead's early blushes but defeat was on the cards

The visitors took the lead two minutes later, as a break down the left went unchecked.

A cross was played into Leatherhead’s six-yard box and an unopposed Ryan Blackman raced on to flick the ball past Wells and into the net.

Witham doubled their advantage on 25 minutes, pouncing on another loose Tanners pass and feeding Smith who neatly slotted the ball past Wells.

On 31 minutes Blackman was given room to run at the Leatherhead defence and shooting from outside the box, forcing Wells to make another good save.

Tanners gradually steadied themselves and pulled a goal back after 38 minutes.

Vas Karagiannis set off down the left and sent a probing cross from the bye-line towards the near post, where Hughes-Mason latched onto it, stabbing the ball home from close range.

Brady made a couple of changes at the start of the second half, swapping Ryan Mahal for Ryan Cooper before Rook replaced an out-of-sorts Dembele in attack.

Hughes-Mason missed Leatherhead’s best chance to draw level after 68 minutes, turning inside a defender before hitting a weak shot straight to goalkeeper Martyn Guest.

But Witham did enough to see out the match and hold on for the three points, despite being pegged back in their own half for much of the closing stages.

Tanners travel to Ryman One South newcomers South Park on Tuesday for a Robert Dyas League Cup first round tie - kick-off 7.45pm.

Leatherhead: Louis Wells, Ryan Mahal (Ryan Cooper 46), Ryan Dolby, Matt Smart (Richard Avery 76), Joe Bruce, Jerry Nnamani, Kiernan Hughes-Mason, Paul Semakula, Becka Kah Dembele (Carl Rook 52), Stacy Long, Vas Karagiannis