LEATHERHEAD'S pre-season branding as "title favourites" came crashing down around them on Tuesday, as they were outplayed by a well organised Met Police side.

Tanners suffered the double blow of losing in front of a large Fetcham Grove crowd and having central defender Dan Dean pull up with a hamstring injury which could see him sidelined for several weeks.

Leatherhead were exposed by a Met Police side who never let them settle into the match. The Police dominated the opening 20 minutes. Their strong defensive unit broke down the few chances that went Leatherhead's way and their keeper had little to do all evening.

The Tanners squandered an early opportunity when Elliott Thompson broke away from his marker from the half way line but opted to shoot from outside the box when he had others around him. Thompson's weak effort went well wide of goal.

Leatherhead's defensive frailties were exposed by the Met's powerful centre forward Craig Wilkins after 12 minutes, but with the goal beckoning the former Exeter City striker missed the target from 10 yards out.

Tanners were given few chances to break into the visitors' box in the first half. Jon Coke was brought down outside the Police area but Tommy Hutchings' free kick was ballooned high and wide.

Leatherhead looked more composed at the start of the second half as they tried to figure out a way to break through the Police defensive ranks. Marc Elston fed Hutchings a ball down the right but the Tanners sharp shooter was unable to get the ball onto his favoured left foot. His tame effort from his right peg went well wide.

The Police took the lead after 56 minutes in a move that looked like a training ground session of head-tennis. Four players flicked the ball from one side of the six yard box to the other before Steve Sutherland finally nodded it over the line in front of goal.

With half an hour to go Dan Dean pulled up with a hamstring injury. Leatherhead made a double substitution with Jon Boswell replacing Dean in the back four while Gabriel Odunaike came on in place of Liam Pestle.

Tanners resorted to despairing long ball efforts from outside the box as their forwards were held at bay by the strong Police defensive unit. The best chance for an equaliser came after 85 minutes when substitute Kwabena Agyei headed a Mark Simmons delivery agonisingly wide of the post.

As the match moved into injury time, the visitors sealed the three points with a final smash and grab raid on the Tanners goal. Watkins broke clear down the middle and pulled the ball back to Tyron Smith to fire home from the edge of the box.

It was a fully deserved win for the visitors who outplayed Leatherhead in all departments leaving Tanners boss Mick Sullivan with plenty to think about as he prepares his side to face Burgess Hill Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Leatherhead: Ramos, Coke, Goodwell, Boulter, Dean (Boswell), Thompson, Pestle (Odunaike), Simmons, Elston (Agyei), Hutchings, Macleod