WITHAM Town went down by a single goal at third-placed Dulwich Hamlet in the Ryman Premier on Saturday.
In a thrilling game played before 820 fans Witham opened strongly and a goalbound shot from Luke Callander was deflected for a corner from which home keeper Phil Watson made a brave save.
Play went from end to end and Witham keeper Martyn Guest made a one-handed save from Omar Koroma but defences were on top for most of the first half.
The game continued at a fast pace and Dulwich showed why they are third in the league with their lively strikers.
The only goal of the game came in the 59th minute when Xavier Vidal scored with a tremendous shot into the top corner, which gave Guest no chance from 25 yards.
Nevertheless Witham continued to play well but could not get through the home defence. In a late rally both Tom Wraight and James Regis had efforts saved by Watson.