TONBRIDGE ANGELS bid for a home playoff berth suffered a setback as the Tanners inflicted a second defeat of the season on them.
Angels run of four straight league wins was halted by a well organised Leatherhead team as the visitors found themselves unable to exert pressure.
The Tonbridge strikers were constantly thwarted by the Tanners central defenders while their keeper Zaki Oualah had a quiet afternoon – in contrast to Angels’ Jonny Henly, who was required to make a couple of top-class saves.
Much of the first half was played in the middle of the park as forwards found it difficult to hold the ball up.
There were half-chances for Joe Turner on six minutes and Adem Ramadan on 17 minutes, while the home side’s Charlie Hester-Cook might have done better with his effort from 18 yards out.
The game at last came to life in the 39th minute when an attack down the left for Leatherhead got round the back of the Angels defence.
The ball ended up hitting the Tonbridge bar, Henly pulled off two punched saves and after a couple of blocks on the line somehow the game remained goalless.
The second half continued in the same vein with Leatherhead taking a firmer grip on proceedings but without creating too many genuine chances.
Early on, Jared Small twice managed to escape his marker and produce dangerous crosses but the Angels were unable to capitalise.
On 69 minutes the Angels defence managed to just about clear their lines but the reprieve was to last no more than three minutes.
A free kick just outside the Angels’ penalty area was only half-cleared and Dan Gallagher had the final touch to score the crucial breakthrough.
The Angels huffed and puffed after that but somehow they just did not look convincing.
They stay in third place after other results around them went their way.
Worthing lost to new crowned champions Dorking Wanderers while Haringey Borough in second place could only draw at Hornchurch.
Now they prepare themselves for the visit of Dorking on Saturday [April 13, kick-off 3pm].
