Leatherhead boss Bob Langford has admitted his side are in a Ryman League Division One South relegation scrap after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Kingstonian.

The Tanners have slipped to 16th place in table, but are just five points clear of the drop zone having gathered just two points from their last six games.

Langford’s men do have games in hand having seen a series of postponements make the weekend’s defeat their first league game since December 27.

But the Fetcham Grove chief admits his side must start picking up points sooner rather than later.

“I’m disappointed that we’ve been dragged into the relegation battle. We’ve got some tough games coming up and have to start picking up points soon,” he said.

Leatherhead have tricky away games coming up against high-flying Met Police and Sittingbourne, but can take heart from their performance against Ks - their first game of 2009.

“I’m happy with the performance, but I don’t want to go overboard as we lost,” added Langford.

“Considering it was our first game since Christmas, I don’t think it was a bad effort. The difference was Kingstonian took their chances and we didn’t.

“That’s why we’ve slipped to below half way in the table recently.”

The Tanners certainly had their chances in what was by in large an even encounter.

New signing Steve Goddard had a couple of efforts well saved by the K’s keeper Luke Garrard, while Kev Terry squandered a glorious chance when put through by Tom Hutchings in the second half.

The Ks made the home side pay for their profligacy at the start of the second half with two goals inside the first ten minutes.

First, Jason Henry put through his own net under pressure from two Kingstonian forwards, before Simon Huckle headed home unmarked at the nearpost.

Leatherhead will have centre half Iain Hendry fit again - after two and half months - when they travel to Met Police at the weekend.

Leatherhead’s next three fixtures: Jan 24 Met Police (a), Jan 26 Sittingbourne (a), Jan 31 Whitstable Town (h).