Despite hitting the post and taking a 5th minute lead, Dulwich slipped to defeat as Kevin James was denied an injury time equaliser by a very late offside flag.

It all looked plain sailing early on as Natahniel Pinney struck the inside of the post in the 3rd minute with Erhun Oztumer just failing to turn home the rebound. Two minutes later The Hamlet had the lead as Nyren Clunis delivered a cross that got caught on the wind and flew over Danny Gay in the Leiston goal.

Nyren Clunis should have done better with a 12th minute header that he tried to lift over the keeper when power may have been a better option. The same player also embarked on a fine run from half way that was halted by a well timed challenge in the box.

At this stage it was almost all Dulwich but Leiston came into the game more as Dulwich relaxed their early grip and grabbed a 22nd minute equalier as Craig Parker struck a shot that gave impressive debutant keeper Yannick Nlate no chance. This coming after the midfield failed to track his run.

The rest of the half saw little goalmouth action until time added on when Gay made a fine stop.

The second half began evenly before 7 minutes in Leiston grabbed the lead. A pass played inside Mathieu Boyer found Joe Francis who made no mistake.

At this stage it was Leiston in the ascendancy as they looked to add to their lead but resolute defending kept Dulwich in the game and, as time ticked by, they began to find some rhythm again.

Erhun Oztumer fired over when well placed after a fine pass from Marc-Anthony Okoye and then Okoye got away on the left to deliver a perfect cross that was slammed home by the onrushing Kevin James. However, to the astonishment of Dulwich fans and players, the assistant raised his flag to signal offside some seconds after the ball hit the back of the net.

With all out attack now the only option Dulwich were caught with every player upfield as the ball was played forward but faced with the onushing Nlate some 30 yards out of his goal the shot was placed wide.