erith & Belvedere went down at home to Dr Martens Eastern Division league leaders Grantham, who had not been beaten in the league since September 26, on Saturday.

In the very first minute, Deres' Ram Marwa had an effort blocked by a Grantham defender before on 14 minutes, Deres keeper Adam Hart had to get down well to block an effort by Stuart Wilson.

Six minutes into the second half, Deres' Steve White beat the off-side trap but saw his left-foot effort blocked well by Grantham goalkeeper Mario Ziccardi.

Two minutes later, Grantham came close to taking a lead but Gary Bull fired his shot wide from 12 yards.

Minutes later, Marwa just failed to connect on to Tim Bealey's cross and then Grantham took the lead on 61 minutes when Lee Marshall fired home from just inside the penalty area.

Grantham increased their lead five minutes later when Stuart Wilson ran on to a throughball and fired home.

The Deres pressed forward, looking to claw their way back in the game, but never really tested Ziccardi in the Grantham goal, and in the last minute Brendon McDaid took advantage of a defensive mistake and fired home to condemn the Deres to a 3-0 defeat.

Deres' manager Mike Acland said: "They deserved to win and are a vastly more experienced than us as they have a few league players. We went into the game weakened with an injury to Darren Adams.

"In the first half, we matched them, but in the second, I felt we were a little below par.

"We're away to Bashley on Saturday and then Wisbech at home, so hopefully we can pick up a few points."

December 11, 2001 17:42