Whyteleafe returned to winning ways to open a two-point gap at the top of Southern Counties East League.

After back-to-back defeats, a 3-1 win over Canterbury at Church Road on Saturday, means Leafe need four wins and a draw from the last six games to guarantee promotion back to Ryman Division One South.

Leafe played the best of the football in the first half but had a long wait for the first goal.

Chances came and went, Jensen Grant heading just over from a Jason Thompson corner in the 10th minute, then Sam Clayton shot into the side netting in the 17th minute.

Roscoe DSane played a one two with Grant in the 26th minute but shot just over, and Alex Penfold then played a similar move with Ryan Fowler in the 29th minute with the same result.

Leafe finally got the lead they deserved in the 31st minute, Dylan Merchant heading home from a Fowler corner.

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Second time round: Leafe celebrate goal number two

Lee Scott had the visitor’s only decent chance in the 40th minute when he ran at the Leafe defence and his shot was just over the bar.

The hosts went further ahead just before half time when a long ball from Tommy Smith picked out DSane on the right - he beat two defenders then picked out Fowler in the box who scored from close range.

Leafe continued to dominate in the second half - Craig Pitterson’s 47th minute cross was partially cleared to Clayton on the edge of the box but his shot was well saved by Roddy Hayward.

The third goal came from a well rehearsed set piece, Grant heading home at the near post from an inswinging 53rd minute Thompson corner.

Jamal Dzotsi gave the visitors hope two minutes later converting a free kick but Leafe almost got a fourth a minute later when DSane shot across the face of goal.

They went even closer on the hour when Thompson's curling 30-yard free kick shaved the outside of the post.

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Pressure: Canterbury under the cosh from a Leafe corner

Hayward made a great save at the feet of DSane in the 67th minute and a minute later Tommy Smith shot just over the bar.

Canterbury only really threatened Leafe once more, Alex Kendall forcing a good save from Sheikh Ceesay in the 75th minute, but apart from that, Leafe looked the more likely to score in the closing stages.

Greg Andrews shot into the side netting in the 83nd minute and Bentley Graham’s 86th minute shot hit a defender and deflected over the bar.

Whyteleafe: Ceesay, Tommy Smith, Penfold, Broomhead, Merchant, Thompson, Fowler, Grant, DSane (Williams 67), Clayton (Andrews 73), Pitterson (Graham).

Subs not used: Taylor Smith, Abrahams.

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Master & commander: Jason Thompson in the centre of midfield

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Tricky: Sam Clayton prepares to take on the Canterbury defence

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Up and at them: Ryan Fowler

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Speedy: Roscoe DSane has been instrumental in Whyteleafe's promotion push this season