Erith and Belvedere’s fight against relegation took another blow when they stumbled to a 4-0 home defeat to promotion chasing AFC Sudbury.

Having suffered a humbling 10-1 defeat at Thurrock two days earlier, the Deres were looking to bounce back but with confidence low, they rarely troubled their visitors.

James Baker had a shot deflected wide after Ryan Horne’s shot had been charged down, then Ben Thompson headed over as the team from Suffolk looked to draw first blood.

Horne was cautioned for diving in the penalty area before the Deres almost stunned the visitors as Alex Archer had the be alert to turn over Luis Rozan’s free kick.

Ryan Flack shot harmlessly wide for the hosts before Thompson did well to retrieve the ball for Sudbury but then attempted to beat Ashley Bourne at the near post when squaring would have been the better option.

Jamie Miller was cautioned for an innocuous foul on Sam Clarke who may have influenced the referee with his squeal.

Ollie Hughes pulled the ball back but a brave challenge by Danny Dolan on Matt Daniels left both players in a heap, with Daniels unable to take any further part. Sudbury manager David Batch replaced him with Payton Swatman.

Hopes the Deres had of going into the break level went when a corner was half cleared for Hughes to cross to the far post where Ryan Henshaw gave Bourne no chance with a close range diving header.

Early in the second period Scott Mitchell shot well over then Thompson came close before the Deres had a great chance on the break.

Flack broke through but was thwarted by a double save by Archer.

Hughes then got beyond the defence at the other end but was foiled by excellent goalkeeping from Bourne.

Thompson was cautioned for a poor challenge on Dolan and was substituted immediately. The knock taken by Dolan meant the he also had to be replaced minutes later.

Paul Springett’s tackle on Clarke was met by another loud yelp and a caution as the Deres tried to keep themselves in the game.

Mo Conteh had a powerful shot turned away spectacularly by Archer following good work by Flack before Baker worked his way clear at the other end only for Bourne to do well again.

Ryan Palmer was booked for a cynical foul on Hughes inches outside the penalty area but the AFC player avenged that by setting up the all important second goal with five minutes remaining. Substitute Steve Spriggs collected his through ball and gave Bourne no chance with a crisp finish.

Deflated Erith conceded again when Baker fired home from the edge of the area.

Although Bourne made a great save from Baker and George Savage cleared off the line from Henshaw, there was still time for Henshaw to add a fourth when heading home unchallenged from veteran Michael Shinn’s cross.

The Deres are at home again on Tuesday night as they aim to end their long winless run stretching back to 26^th October.

Erith and Belvedere: Bourne, Dolan (Palmer 65), Collins, Springett, Boyle, Clark, Savage, Miller (Tanner 70), Flack, Conteh, Rozan (Thomas 57).

Unused substitutes: Sengatuka, Ogeah-Andrews..

AFC Sudbury: Archer, Daniels (Swatman 43), Cawley, Shinn, Henshaw, Mitchell, Horne, Clarke, Baker, Thompson (Spriggs 62), Hughes (Akintunde 86).

Unused substitutes: Carus, Forshaw.

Referee: Peter Killip

Attendance: 85

Erith and Belvedere star man: Ashley Bourne