Last weekend was all about the response, and Leatherhead boss Mike Sandmann got just the response he was looking for.

The Tanners lost for the first time under Sandmann’s reign two weekends ago, but bounced back immediately thanks to Saturday’s 3-2 win over play-off chasing Leiston at Fetcham Grove.

It lifted the Tanners to 12th in the Ryman Premier League table, and means they lost just once in eight outings under Sandmann.

However, it is also the first time they have conceded more than one goal in a game, and the boss wants the correct response to that disappointment when they go to Hendon on Saturday.

“Losing at Needham Market was disappointing because we felt we could have won it,” he said.

“We’ve had a great start but we always knew we would lose a game, but the most important thing is what we spoke about after the game, how do we respond?

“We were 3-0 up against Leiston at half-time and it was certainly the response we wanted, if not more so – it was possibly our best performance the best since I have taken over.”

He added: “We did not start second half as well as we should have and they looked like they might score, but once they did, we responded in the right way again, got back on top and created the better chances.

“We had a goal ruled out for off-side, which was an odd one, which would have made it 4-1.

“Then in the last minutes we brought a couple of kids on for their debuts, and they scored with the last kick of the game.

“It’s takes a little bit of the gloss off as it is the first time we’ve conceded two goals, so we’re naturally disappointed.

“But our performance in the first half was excellent, our shape and balance was what we’ve been looking for.”

Sandmann takes a fully fit squad to Hendon, where the Tanners may have revenge on their mind after a 5-2 humbling by Hendon at Fetcham Grove in September.

He said: “We don’t want to concede two goals again, and what happened when we last played Hendon, I am sure the boys will be out to put that right.”