Report by Steve Cantle

Fleet's promotion hopes took a knock on Saturday as they missed out at mid-table Leatherhead.

Despite scoring first, early in the second half, Andy Sinton's men struggled to deal with a late fight back from the home side, and in the end lost out to a penalty and an unfortunate own-goal.

But with two of the other top four sides also losing at the weekend, Fleet remain in contention in third place, with the same points total as leaders, Dulwich Hamlet and Dartford.

Sinton's hopes of fielding a full-strength side on Saturday were dashed two days before, when key defender, Steve Hemmings twisted an ankle during training. With striker, Ed Smith still out with a groin injury, Jermaine Hamilton got the nod over Nathan Smart to partner Adam Wallace up front. Danny Smart came in for Hemmings.

Fleet dominated possession right from the first whistle, but were held back by a tight home side back line. After 10 minutes, from their first attack, Leatherhead won a free-kick and immediately put the Fleet goal under pressure, the cross hitting the underside of the bar, before being safely cleared away.

Fleet's first chance came five minutes later, Michael Douglas getting on the end of a James Field free-kick only to see Leatherhead keeper, Paul Borg save from close range. Fleet remained in charge and on 34 minutes Darren Campbell linked well with Hamilton, but the striker's shot was wide.

Leatherhead continued to look dangerous on the break as well as from set-pieces, and on 40 minutes, Fleet keeper, Paul Smith had to be at full stretch to save from Leatherhead's James Greenaway, following a free-kick.

Two minutes after the interval Fleet opened the scoring. A corner from the right was poorly cleared and was picked up by Ben White on the edge of the 18 yard box. The mid-fielder's left-footed shot was deflected by a defender, giving Borg no chance to save.

After going behind, the home side pressed hard for the equaliser. Wingman, Steve Sargent was proving a handful down the right side, and from one of his runs, on 54 minutes, he was brought down by Fleet skipper, Mark Paterson, inside the area. Referee, Sam Lewis pointed to the penalty spot, and Sargent himself converted to level the score.

The pace of the game quickened after the equaliser, and both sides pushed hard for a winner. For Fleet, Douglas was linking well with Wallace, and looked to have been brought down in the penalty area, when clean through on goal, but Fleet's appeals were turned down by Mr Lewis.

For the final quarter, the home side began to take charge, and time after time were able to put Smith under pressure with crosses from both sides of the pitch. From one of these in the 84th minute, Smith saved well. But from the resulting corner, Campbell was unlucky to see his mis-clearance go straight into the Fleet net, giving Smith no chance.

Two minutes later Smith was in action again, blocking what looked like a certain third goal for Leatherhead.