diff --git a/zstd/enc_better.go b/zstd/enc_better.go
index c769f6941d..d70e3fd3d3 100644
--- a/zstd/enc_better.go
+++ b/zstd/enc_better.go
@@ -416,15 +416,23 @@ encodeLoop:
 
 		// Try to find a better match by searching for a long match at the end of the current best match
 		if s+matched < sLimit {
+			// Allow some bytes at the beginning to mismatch.
+			// Sweet spot is around 3 bytes, but depends on input.
+			// The skipped bytes are tested in Extend backwards,
+			// and still picked up as part of the match if they do.
+			const skipBeginning = 3
+
 			nextHashL := hashLen(load6432(src, s+matched), betterLongTableBits, betterLongLen)
-			cv := load3232(src, s)
+			s2 := s + skipBeginning
+			cv := load3232(src, s2)
 			candidateL := e.longTable[nextHashL]
-			coffsetL := candidateL.offset - e.cur - matched
-			if coffsetL >= 0 && coffsetL < s && s-coffsetL < e.maxMatchOff && cv == load3232(src, coffsetL) {
+			coffsetL := candidateL.offset - e.cur - matched + skipBeginning
+			if coffsetL >= 0 && coffsetL < s2 && s2-coffsetL < e.maxMatchOff && cv == load3232(src, coffsetL) {
 				// Found a long match, at least 4 bytes.
-				matchedNext := e.matchlen(s+4, coffsetL+4, src) + 4
+				matchedNext := e.matchlen(s2+4, coffsetL+4, src) + 4
 				if matchedNext > matched {
 					t = coffsetL
+					s = s2
 					matched = matchedNext
 					if debugMatches {
 						println("long match at end-of-match")
@@ -434,12 +442,13 @@ encodeLoop:
 
 			// Check prev long...
 			if true {
-				coffsetL = candidateL.prev - e.cur - matched
-				if coffsetL >= 0 && coffsetL < s && s-coffsetL < e.maxMatchOff && cv == load3232(src, coffsetL) {
+				coffsetL = candidateL.prev - e.cur - matched + skipBeginning
+				if coffsetL >= 0 && coffsetL < s2 && s2-coffsetL < e.maxMatchOff && cv == load3232(src, coffsetL) {
 					// Found a long match, at least 4 bytes.
-					matchedNext := e.matchlen(s+4, coffsetL+4, src) + 4
+					matchedNext := e.matchlen(s2+4, coffsetL+4, src) + 4
 					if matchedNext > matched {
 						t = coffsetL
+						s = s2
 						matched = matchedNext
 						if debugMatches {
 							println("prev long match at end-of-match")