Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith was encouraged by his side’s performance after they slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat at Leatherhead in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday.

The hosts took the lead in the 30th minute through Cerny Ando’s goal, and doubled their advantage on 41 minutes through Deondre Date.

Finlay Evans pulled a goal back for the Baggies in first-half stoppage time, but Niran Butler put Leatherhead 3-1 up on 49 minutes.

David Garlinge made it 3-2 in the 57th minute and the Baggies had some good chances to get back on level terms and earn a point.

The Baggies have picked up a win and two draws from their previous five games, and Smith was encouraged by another positive performance.

“We don’t want to play well and lose, but we were competitive in the game and could have got something from it,” said Smith.

“We’re getting a level of consistency now as that’s five games in a row where we’ve been competitive and played well.

“We beat Westfield and then drew at Hayes & Yeading when we played well and could have won.

“We had a narrow defeat against Harrow when we should have got something, and drew against Rayners Lane when we should have won.

“Leatherhead was another encouraging performance, but we were done by a couple of set pieces.

“We need to stop conceding cheap set pieces so sides don’t have the chance to put set pieces into our box.

“We’re not being carved open in open play and don’t look like conceding in open play.

“It was disappointing to go 2-0 down, but getting the goal back just before half-time was a real boost.

“We kept going at 3-1 down and our second goal came after some lovely play between David and Charlie George.

“We had some chances to get an equaliser and there are plenty of positives to take from the game.”