Kings Langley suffered a 3-1 derby day defeat against close neighbours Berkhamsted, ultimately succumbing to an intense second half comeback by the promotion hopefuls last night.

It had looked very different in the first half when the visitors were well worth their half-time lead, having looked the more incisive side in the first period.

Kings could have taken an early lead when the ball fell to Lewis Duberry some way out, with Berko goalkeeper Josh Bowler stranded and the net unguarded, but the midfielder’s lofted effort had too much elevation and sailed over.

That was a portent of things to come as just five minutes later a slick passing move found Olu Ogunnowo on the edge of the box. The wide man executed an exquisite chip which found the top corner to give Kings a deserved lead.

That advantage could so easily have been doubled just moments later, when another smart interchange between James Towle and Ogunnowo saw the latter’s low cross met by the inrushing Henry Burt but the youngster’s diving header flashed agonisingly wide. Nevertheless, Kings were good value for the lead they took into the break.

The Comrades upped the ante in the second half, launching a series of attacks that generated some fine saves from Langley keeper Cian Moore, especially from former Kings favourite Louie Collier.

The visitors, although stretched, were holding firm until a game changer of a decision altered the course of proceedings.

There seemed little danger as Josh Bryant shepherded Adam Watkins away from goal, but the left-back’s close attention prompted Watkins to stumble and the referee deemed the entanglement worthy of a penalty, which Jonathan Lacey dispatched emphatically.

The score galvanised the home side into even greater intensity and although Kings were defending with resilience and indeed, carving out opportunities of their own on the counter, the home side were not to be denied the lead. Almost inevitably, it was Collier who struck, sweeping home Roger James’ low cross to put the Comrades ahead.

Before Kings could pause for breath, the home side had doubled their advantage when yet another low cross was deflected home by Charne Lemba for an own goal.

The visitors tried manfully to get back in the game and only a fingertip save prevented Burt from reducing the arrears, but for the most part Berko were now in cruise control and saw out the remainder of the game to secure the points.