Dereham slumped to defeat following a disappointing home display against Cheshunt.

In the seventh minute Luke Tuttle latched onto Ryan Hawkins' pass but ballooned his volley over the top.

As the home side pressed again Cheshunt defender Ellis Sands was forced to slice Hawkins' low cross behind for a corner. Dereham had a let-off when keeper Andy Wilton spilled a shot from outside the box enabling Joe Clemo to stab a close range effort against a post in the 16th minute. The Magpies replied with Toby Hilliard's 20-yarder forcing keeper Glenn Williamson into a flying save.

After a quiet period of play Louis Mason shot tamely at Williamson after Luke Tuttle and Fraser Blake-Tracy had combined well. Minutes later Aaron Kay fired a well struck 30-yard left-foot effort wide of the target. Cheshunt leapt into the lead when Ted Lleweyn netted with a low drive from just inside the box in the 43rd minute.

Dereham were looking for a better performance after the break and Mason tested Williamson with a low drive. Lewis Sturman replaced Matt Hockley and immediately headed Tuttle's free kick just off target.

Hawkins was then unlucky to see his thumping drive cannon back off Williamson's right hand post. Dereham missed a great chance when Tuttle sent Toby Hilliard away down the right and his cross found the unmarked Hawkins but from close range the midfielder stooped to head over the bar.

After riding their luck Cheshunt increased their lead with Milton Elenge firing home from inside the box after a cross from the right had fallen kindly for him in the 68th minute.

Dereham continued to surge forward with Tuttle and Blake-Tracy both testing keeper Williamson. Cheshunt sealed the game in stoppage time on the break when Josh Fagbohun raced away from Mason and stroked the ball home.