Epsom & Ewell pushed Combined Counties League leaders Chipstead all the way before slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Merland Rise, writes Robert Oakes.

In an end-to-end first half, Epsom went close after 29 minutes when Simon Hatton's lay-off found Ryan O'Sullivan, buit his 15-yard shot was blocked on the line by Chris Cottam.

Dale Marvell had two chances for the hosts before the break, the second forcing Chipstead keeper Michael Lidbury to save on his line.

Chipstead upped their game in the second half, but their strikers were restricted to long-range efforts that went high and wide of the home goal.

They began to get closer though and Danny Oakins' 60th-minute effort from Anthony Williams' cross found Dave Tidy's gloves.

The league leaders then scored the only goal of the game. Oakins burst past Joe Frimpong before crossing low and the ball looped off Scott Simpson's outstretched leg into the net.

Chipstead began to create a host of chances, with Craig Pitterson skying a back-post volley, Steve Boswell heading a corner onto the roof of the net and Oakins forcing Tidy into another save The battling hosts never really looked like scoring and Tidy made an excellent save from Oakins' shot from the edge of the area as the match entered stoppage time.

* Epsom presented Chipstead with a centenary celebration cake, but despite the fact the visitors have been in existence for 100 years and Epsom for 90, this was only the third competitive meeting between the sides.