Leyton 4
Ramsgate 1
(Ryman Premier)

LEYTON came back from a week's break to deliver a crushing defeat to third-in-the-table Ramsgate on Saturday.

Assistant manager Kevin Wilkins said: "We asked the players before the game where they wanted to be in the league, in the bottom half or in the top half. That performance was their answer."

Leyton had not won in the league since the start of October after suffering a number of injury setbacks, but bounced back after their fixture against Harrow Borough was postponed last week due to a waterlogged pitch.

Richard Brady's left-foot shot from the edge of the area flew past Rams' keeper Paul Wilkerson to give the home side the lead in the 20th minute.

Roy Parkin could have made it 2-0 with a freekick on the half hour, but he blasted over.

In the final minute before the break Shaun Welford went just wide for the visitors from the edge of the area.

The Lillywhites continued to defend well in the second half, keeping out everything Rams threw at them and in the 73rd minute a slip by the visiting full-back saw the ball fall to Leli Bajada who was unmarked in front of goal and he made no mistake.

Four minutes later Brady scored his second strike of the afternoon and Manny Williams sealed the win with a goal in the 86th minute.

Welford got a consolation goal for the visitors in the 90th minute after a pass from Warren Shulz, but by then Leyton knew the result was beyond doubt.

Wilkins said: "Everyone worked hard. There were a few outstanding players but it was really a good team performance. The key now is consistency.

"We told the players that they can't just do it every other game.

"We want that level of performance every time. Hopefully we are over the worst of the injuries and this is the turning point for our season."

Emond Protain who has been out with a fractured foot is due to return to training today (Thursday).

Leyton play Staines Town away on Saturday.