Dereham's long unbeaten run was ended at Theobalds Lane with Jason Hallett's second half strike winning the match.

The Magpies nearly caught out the home side in the third minute when Frazer Blake-Tracy's quickly taken free kick found Rhys Logan on the right and the winger's low centre flashed across the six-yard box to safety.

As the Magpies pressed full back Payton Swatman tested James May with a left foot drive that the keeper could not hold but a defender was on hand to clear.

There was little between the sides but Dereham came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute when Jake Anema glanced Luke Tuttle's curling free kick onto the base of keeper May's post.

The visitors produced a fine flowing move with Ryan Crisp and Adam Smith combining well before the latter delivered a superb low centre that once again travelled across the box with no one on hand to finish.

Shortly after the break Viner had to be alert to prevent Anema from diverting Hallett's ball from the byline into his own net.

Cheshunt went in front when prolific marksman Hallett drilled home a superb 25 yard drive with 67 minutes on the clock. Dereham responded positively without creating any clear-cut chances. In added time the lunging Craig Bussens could not convert Lewis Butcher's pacy centre as the home side took the points.

The Magpies will be looking to bounce back against Tilbury next weekend.