Boreham Wood 3 Leyton 0 . . .

Ryman League Premier Division . . .

Wood succeeded in recording back-to-back victories with a hardworking win against already relegated Leyton, which leaves the local side with a firm foundation upon which to further climb away from the relegation zone.

The win, courtesy of another Simon Thomas brace, his seventh of the season, coupled with an injury-time strike from Leon Archer, lifted Wood to 14th position with four matches remaining.

Leyton, having recently released almost their entire squad, failed to halt a run of eight straight defeats, yet under the tutelage of ex-Wood assistant manager Troy Townsend, proved to be no pushovers.

The young and enthusiastic side held Wood at bay for large swathes of the game and, though failing to really trouble Wood keeper Noel Imber, they contributed to the contest.

Wood were without the services of the injured Ollie Adedeji, with Wood manager George Borg calling Fiston Manuella into the starting line-up.

The Wood attack were left frustrated by a drilled Leyton defence, falling foul of the assistant referee's flag on numerous occasions.

Without really taking hold of the game, Wood gained the advantage after 17 minutes. Manuella crafted a finely-weighted ball for Thomas to pursue and he ran through on goal, firing home at the second attempt after visiting keeper Sam Tanner had smothered his original effort.

Archer should have increased the lead five minutes later when he produced an almost vertical effort from within the six-yard area, after Steve Wales powered past two defenders to apply pressure on the Leyton rearguard.

Leyton continued to give Wood plenty to think about, before Greg Morgan replaced Manuella after 41 minutes, with Wales relinquishing his wide role to play through the centre of the park.

A half-cleared free kick by Wales fell to Ryan Maxwell, who did well to shape a useful volley that was just high of Tanner's crossbar.

The opening half climaxed with Archer running 50 yards after a lightning quick turn, only to see his shot deflected by Gbenga Sonuga.

George Borg's dissatisfaction must have got through to the players during the interval, as they returned to increase their lead within a minute of the restart.

A long cross from the left by Danny Barber found the head of Archer whose effort seemed to be going behind for a goal kick on the right. However, the industrious Morgan chased, trapped and controlled, before looping a cross to the far post where Thomas outjumped his marker to head home from close range for his 25th goal of the season.

Archer then went close with a flicked header, before Marvin McCoy and Jamie Edwards combined to supply Daniel Lodge right in front of goal, with only Imber to beat. However, the Leyton substitute dallied, allowing Craig Vargas to steal the ball.

Maxwell again worked tirelessly in the centre of the park, whilst Mark Burgess proved an impregnable force at right back for the hosts.

Wood appeared to sit back on their two-goal lead, yet the visitors managed only a weak Sonuga header on target that was easily collected by Imber.

Barber went close with a trademark 30-yard free kick; Archer forced a rare save from Tanner with a telling cross, before Archer punished the plucky visitors further, deep into injury time.

Chris Watters, on as a substitute, provided a low cross from the left, which the Braintree loan striker volleyed home from 18 yards.

WOOD: Imber, Burgess, Barber, Manuella (Morgan 40), Vargas, Maxwell, Wales, Samuel, Thomas (Bangura 89), Archer, Burrell (Watters 74). Subs not used: Atta, Horton.

JOHN MEAD