A superb strike from Darren Smith secured the points for Tanners in a 1-0 win over Walton Casuals.

Tom Wellham returned in goal for Leatherhead, standing in for Deren Ibrahim in an otherwise unchanged line up from Wednesday’s victory against Redhill.

Kev Terry almost gave Tanners an early lead with a shot turned onto the post and behind for a corner by Casuals keeper Ferhat Aksoy.

Casuals came close when Gary Macdonald’s thunderous free kick came back off the Tanners crossbar.

Smith scored the only goal of the match after 27 minutes - seeing the Casuals keeper off his line, the Leatherhead captain hit a 30-yard drive into the corner of the net.

Gabriel Odunaike missed a good chance to equalise against his former club after 55 minutes, drawing the Leatherhead keeper off his line before firing into the side netting from a tight angle.

Macdonald was perhaps fortunate to stay on the pitch after 84 minutes, tripping Leatherhead sub Theo Fairweather-Johnson just outside the box as he bore down on the Casuals goal.

Matt Smart’s intelligent free kick was well blocked by Aksoy and Fairweather-Johnson’s follow up was cleared off the line.

The three points keeps Leatherhead in the hunt for the automatic promotion spot in Ryman Division One South, just four points behind leaders Peacehaven & Telscombe and with 16 games remaining for each club.

Tanners are at home against Horsham on Wednesday - kick-off 7.45pm.

Leatherhead: Tom Wellham, Ryan Mahal, Dan Johnson, Tom Parkinson (Matt Smart 68), Jamie Coyle, Jerry Nnamani, Paul Semakula, Darren Smith, Tom Bradbrook (Ryan Cooper), Ian Draycott, Kevin Terry (Theo Fairweather-Johnson 70).

Unused subs: Mohamed Eisa, Frank Griffin.