A shocking start saw Enfield Town suffer a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions as they slumped to a 4-1 loss at Leatherhead on Saturday.

Following successive cup losses and last week’s 4-1 home reverse at the hands of Worthing, Andy Leese would have hoped the Towners could get back on track at Fetcham Grove.

However, the writing was on the wall by the 17th minute as the hosts raced into a 3-0 lead on their way to a result which leaves Enfield fifth in the Bostik Premier Division table, seven points behind leaders Dorking Wanderers.

With 13th-placed Corinthian-Casuals just five points lower in the table, Town will know they need to arrest their slide sooner rather than later if they are to remain among the pace-setters, with eighth-placed Kingstonian next up at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors survived a scare with barely a minute on the clock when Leatherhead had a goal ruled out for offside. But Enfield were to remain on level terms for only a matter of minutes as a move down the left led to a number of defensive gaps appearing and Travis Gregory was able to pick his spot to beat Joe Wright.

Leatherhead’s advantage was doubled 10 minutes later when defender Charlie Wassmer was given the freedom of the penalty area to convert a corner at the back post.

Town’s nightmare start was to get even worse in the 17th minute when, after Matt Johnson had been booked for conceding a foul, Shaun Okojie headed in the resultant free-kick.

Town tried to regroup and their play did start to settle down, but they were unable to create an opening of note until Johnson saw a shot diverted behind.

Brandon Adams then cut the ball back for strike partner Billy Bricknell to miscue wide, while he saw another effort blocked by keeper Zaki Oulah at the end of the first half.

While Enfield appeared to have stemmed the attacking tide after the break, they found it difficult to break down an impressive defensive unit as Leatherhead maintained a high level of intensity.

Indeed, the hosts were to net a fourth with 12 minutes remaining when the ball was played to the onrushing Okojie, who received it at pace and fired low past Wright from a tight angle.

Second-half substitute Bilal Sayoud did net a consolation effort soon after, but they were to be few positives at the end of a bad eight days which had seen Town knocked out of the FA Trophy and lose ground in the league.