Epsom & Ewell recorded their first league victory since November by inflicting league leaders Hertford Town's first home defeat of the season on Saturday.

From the start, Ray Purvis's men looked more up for it than their hosts and this was undoubtedly their most impressive performance of the season.

They were helped by the 10th-minute sending off of Glenn Draper, who slipped as he turned just outside the box and scooped the ball away from Chad Heuston with his hand.

Hertford took time to reorganise and Epsom took the lead after 19 minutes when Lee Purvis picked up a loose ball outside the box and netted his third goal in three games with a left-foot shot past Lee Robinson.

Robinson pushed Chris Read's shot around the post before Epsom increased their lead after 26 minutes.

Heuston pulled back Andy Davidson's square ball for Micky Owen to lash home.

Owen added a third a minute before the break to force stand-in Hertford boss Tony Tilbrook, in charge with Dave Pentecost away on holiday, into a double half-time substitution.

After the break, Epsom keeper Warren Aburn saved from Peter Lane, and Cooper hit the angle of post and bar with a flick from a Roberts cross.

Hertford reduced the arrears when Dave Greenwood powered home a header from Phil Goss' corner.

Aburn made a couple of good stops before, with 15 minutes left, a treble substitution brought fresh legs to the Epsom side.

Within two minutes, Max Tacey and Richard Ingham combined for Luke Gay to roll in Epsom's fourth.

Aburn made a fine double save from lane and Roberts before Goss pulled another goal back for Hertford.

Heuston saw a lofted shot clawed away by the home keeper, but Epsom scored a fifth in stoppage time.

Chris Read's through ball saw Gay pushed wide by Robinson, but he squared the ball for Chris Fossey to score.

Epsom & Ewell are at home to Witham Town on Saturday.

Epsom & Ewell: Warren Aburn, Nick Williams, Max Tacey, Adam Stones, Mark Freeborough, Andy Davidson(sub.Chris Fossey 75 mins), Chris Read, Ross Shoefield, Chad Hesuton, Micky Owen(sub.Luke Gay 75 mins), Lee Purvis(sub.Richard Ingham 75 mins).

Other subs: Nick Ktorou, Albert Ademi(not used).

Epsom and Ewell Reserves, weakened by late withdrawls, went down 6-1 to Fleet Town on Saturday, Daniel Green was their scorer.