Second half double sinks U’s

It means that United drop back to fifth-from-bottom - the final safe spot in the Ryman Football League Premier Division - and they are just three points above fourth-from-bottom Leatherhead having played two more matches.

Kenny Pogue headed wide for United, while at the other end, Matt Armstrong-Ford make a good save to prevent a Josh Jirbandey own goal before the U’s lost Jack Dixon, pictured, to injury 10 minutes prior to half time.

Tommy Hutchings fired a penalty wide for Leatherhead and Pogue headed over for United as the first half ended goalless. Mark Simmons made no mistake with a second spot-kick for the hosts, though, to put them ahead.

Jordan Woodley had an effort well saved for United, but Leatherhead took command after the opening goal and sealed victory with a second goal midway through the half thanks to a clever chip from Hutchings.

United: Armstrong-Ford, Dixon, Whitehead, Carey, Ray, Jirbandey, Ellis, Crellin, Pogue, Woodley, Davisson. Subs: Manning, Gonsalves, Sutton.

A full report will appear in Friday’s Hastings Observer.

Standings (played-points): 1 Billericay Town 26-52, 2 AFC Hornchurch 25-51, 3 Lowestoft Town 23-51, 4 Lewes 26-46, 5 Cray Wanderers 26-43, 6 Met Police 22-40, 7 Bury Town 25-40, 8 Hendon 25-40, 9 Margate 23-38, 10 Wealdstone 23-36, 11 Canvey Island 25-36, 12 Kingstonian 25-35, 13 East Thurrock United 22-30, 14 Carshalton Athletic 25-30, 15 Concord Rangers 25-28, 16 Harrow Borough 25-27, 17 Wingate & Finchley 24-27, 18 HASTINGS UNITED 25-26, 19 Leatherhead 23-23, 20 Tooting & Mitcham United 24-22, 21 Aveley 26-17, 22 Horsham 26-11.