Erith & Belvedere slumped to their fourth straight league defeat against an in-form Stamford side at Park View Road on Saturday.

It was also the Deres fifth home defeat on the trot and the visitors got off to the best possible start when David Staff drove home direct from a free-kick after just six minutes.

Deres' first chance came on 38 minutes when leading scorer Darren Adams saw his overhead kick go just wide.

But a minute later, the scores were level when Adams was brought down in the penalty area and Chris Whitehouse made no mist-ake from the spot.

However, the joy was short-lived when Stamford regained their lead a minute later, when Matthew Green curled in a right-foot shot into the top left corner of the net, giving Hart no chance.

On the stroke of half-time, Adams had a good chance to put level, but he headed over from 10 yards.

Hart made a superb block from Bailey on 67 minutes to deny Stamford a third.

The Deres then had a great chance to level for a second time when they were awarded another spot kick five minutes from time.

But, unfortunately, White-house's effort was saved by Steve Corry.

The Deres continued to press forward and, deep into injury time, Karl Emerick and Darren Adams both had attempts on goal, but Stamford twice cleared the danger from their six-yard box.

The Deres' trip to St Leonards on Monday night was postponed due to the pitch being waterlogged.

Deres manager Mike Acland said: "I thought we played better considering we had three regulars missing. It was not a bad result against a team who are playing so well.

"We deserved something from the game, but we're on a slippery slope at the moment."

On Saturday, the Deres travel to mid-table Spalding, hoping to do the double after defeating them 2-1 earlier in the season at Park View Road.