Wingate & Finchley won their crucial ‘six-pointer’ over Leatherhead and despite the slender 1-0 scoreline, were well worth the three points.

The Blues took the lead early in the ninth minute when Ross Parmenter stormed down the left flank to chip a cross into Leon Smith, whose header trickled in off the post and past the futile dive of Tanners keeper Chico Ramos.

Wingate continued to pile on the pressure, creating numerous chances in the first half.

Smith flicked a header onto his strike partner David Laird, who adeptly knocked the ball over his marker to lash a volley at goal. The post proved too much for the glorious strike, denying Laird a possible goal of the season.

Leatherhead’s Richmond then had a rare opportunity but his shot narrowly missed the top left corner and flew over the bar.

Wingate again poured forward but in vain as a Tony Burke run fed Laird, whose shot was parried wide, while Gary Burrell shot from the edge of the box but could only found the side netting.

At half-time, captain Dan Nielsen was subbed because of a hamstring injury but it had no impact on Wingate’s organised backline.

The Blues created more chances in the second half when Parmenter shot over and Smith miscontrolled the ball when directly through on goal.

Leatherhead did manage to grow into the game, steadying their defence to stifle the Wingate attack, however they still offered little creatively.

Bill Manners had the visitors’ best chance to equalise after he outmuscled the Wingate defence to earn a shot that was magnificently charged down by Bobby Smith.

Wingate & Finchley: B Smith, Weatherstone, Street, Dauti, Nielsen (Williams 46), Aisien, Burke, Parmenter (Henry 70), L Smith (Jones 85), Laird, Burrell. Not used: Cooper and Mitchell.