FOLLOWING a heavy defeat in midweek, Erith & Belvedere hoped to bounce back against promotion chasing AFC Sudbury on Saturday.

Although they kept in touch for most of the game, three Sudbury goals in the last five minutes did nothing to improve the Deres’ fragile confidence.

Ryan Horne had a shot charged down and James Baker’s follow up was deflected wide before Ben Thompson headed over from the corner.

Luis Rozen’s free-kick for the Deres was turned over by Alex Archer and Ryan Flack shot wide from distance, but it was the visitors who continued to create the better openings.

Thompson fired straight at Bourne from a tight angle with team-mates available in the middle, while a dangerous Baker cross fizzed across the six-yard box.

The visitors went ahead two minutes before the break when Ryan Henshaw headed home Ollie Hughes’ cross at the far post.

AFC Sudbury were almost caught on the break having missed a couple of half chances early in the second period when Flack burst through.

His first effort was blocked by Archer, who recovered quickly to save Flack’s follow up.

Bourne had to make a save from Hughes at the other end before excellent defending kept Steve Spriggs out following good work by Scott Mitchell.

Archer made a spectacular save from Mo Conteh before the visitors’ grandstand finish.

Spriggs slotted home from Hughes’ through ball on 85 minutes, Baker scored from 18 yards three minutes later and Henshaw completed the Deres’ misery in time added on.

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Erith and Belvedere: Bourne, Dolan (Palmer 65), Collins, Springett, Boyle, Clark, Savage, Miller (Tanner 70), Flack, Conteh, Rozan (Thomas 57). Subs not used: Sengatuka, Ogeah-Andrews. Att: 85.