Two second-half goals were enough for Ryman League Premier Division leaders Bognor Regis Town to leave Wingate & Finchley with all three points.

Spencer McCall had the opening chance for the hosts, cutting inside from the right but hitting his curling effort straight at Daniel Lincoln.

James Crane had Town’s best chance in a competitive but quiet first 45 minutes.

He broke to the inside left following Sami El-Abd’s looped ball over the top, but found Shane Gore out quick to smoother his low half-volley.

Following the restart, The Blues came out in inspired form.

Steve Wales’ teasing near-post corner found Ahmet Rifat who headed narrowly wide and then James Fraser’s precision cross forced Tanasheh Abrahams into a goal-saving, far-post hook to guide the danger away from Charlie Moone.

But just a minute short of the hour mark Bognor took the lead.

A scramble from inside a packed six-yard box led to Gore initially doing well to deter Dan Beck from close-range, but the rebound hit Beck and rolled invitingly to Chad Field who made no mistake with the tap-in, although Sean Cronin could count himself unfortunate after coming within inches of clearing off the line.

Reece Beckles-Richards looked for a response with a long-range strike which hit the side-netting and Crane hit an equally-speculative 25-yard curler which was matched by Gore at full stretch to palm away.

Ryan Sellers put a header over the top and Rifat connected with Luke Ifil’s chipped cross into the area but Dan Lincoln was equal to it.

And despite a wave of Wingate pressure, it was the visitors who doubled their advantage, four minutes from the end.

Dylan Barnett’s near-post corner was met by Crane, who had a free header from 12-yards which sailed into the back of the net.

The result drops Wingate down to eighth but they have an instant chance to get back on the winning trail tomorrow (Tuesday) when they travel to Burgess Hill Town.

Wingate & Finchley: Gore, Ifil, Sellers, Abrahams, Cronin, Rifat, Wales, McCall, Laney, Beckles-Richards, Tejan-Sie (Pattie 78)

Subs (not used): Obafemi, Dawkins, Sharpe, Figueira

Bognor Regis: Lincoln, Whyte, Barnett, Tuck, El-Abd, Field, Fraser (Charman 79), Beck, Moone (Wild 72), Pearce (Muitt 55), Crane

Subs (not used): Budd, Davies

Attendance: 180

Referee: Wayne Porter