COBHAM edged ever closer to the drop from Combined Counties League Premier Division after a heavy defeat at Banstead Athletic.

The defeat leaves the Hammers second from bottom in the table and a huge 13 points from safety.

Banstead were the better side throughout and McGregor in the Cobham goal had to make two good saves in the opening 10 minutes to defy the home team.

Cobham responded well though and should have done better when Robbie Wilson forced the Banstead keeper to save well before Cheeseman's left wing cross was volleyed by Taylor but it bounced kindly and the Athletic keeper saved comfortably.

Banstead took the lead after 25 minutes. Athletic's Paul Hunt broke free and as McGregor went down at his feet he cleverly knocked it past the diving keeper and went down under the challenge. Edghill coolly converted the penalty.

The hosts scored a second nine minutes later to double their lead as they headed into the half-time interval.

Within minutes of the second period the game was effectively over as Banstead extended their lead to 3-0 when Gay headed home, unchallenged.

Cobham did show some fight, however, and pulled one back when McGregor's kick was well controlled by Cheeseman who then slid in Rideout who cleverly lobbed the advancing keeper.

Any hope of a comeback was put to bed just four minutes later when McGregor pulled off a good double save, but from the resulting corner Banstead slotted home their fourth of the afternoon.

The visitor's miserable afternoon finished in even worse fashion as they played out the final half hour of the match with 10 men as young Heggarty fell awkwardly and had to hobble off after the Hammers had used all their substitutes.