Enfield Town boss Brad Quinton insists the Isthmian Premier Division play-off race is back in the Towners' hands, despite losing 2-1 at Dulwich Hamlet on Bank Holiday Monday.

Town have slipped out of the top five after losing at fourth-placed Dulwich but are just one point behind Grays Athletic in the final play-off spot with three matches to play.

Quinton's side were helped by the fact Margate could only draw with Tonbridge Angels, whilst on Saturday, Dulwich were held to a goalless draw at relegation-threatened Witham Town.

Reflecting on a tussle for the play-offs which looks set to run until the final day, Quinton said: "It is back in our hands. Looking at their run ins, Dulwich Hamlet and Grays Athletic have still got to play Hendon and Maidstone United.

"If we would have got a draw or a win it would have given us a breathing gap."

The Towners fell behind to an Ashley Carew penalty after a quarter of an hour following a foul by left-back Ricky Gabriel on Luke Wanadio. A second goal for Dulwich followed before half-time with Xavier Vidal finishing past Nathan McDonald.

The nature of the goals typified a poor first-half showing from Town and Quinton was frustrated by his side's display: "It is not often I have to go off the rails but let's just say I let them know what I thought at half-time.

"I was disappointed with the first half performance. I gave them their jobs but it showed they switched off. Ricky Gabriel made a tackle he did not have to make and then Joe Ellul dallies on the ball and they take their chance," Quinton fumed.

However, the second-half showing was in stark contrast to the first, a fact the former Tottenham Hotspur trainee acknowledged. He enthused: "I was proud of their second-half showing and I am sure we would have kicked on and got a second goal.

"They were camped in their half and you could only see one team scoring another goal to be honest."

Nathan Livings got the Enfield fightback started in the 67th minute when he fired home from the right-hand side of the penalty area but Michael Kalu was dismissed soon after for a mysterious off-the-ball incident which was only spotted by the assistant referee.

But Quinton was quick to defend the former Watford youngster. He stated: "There is no way Michael Kalu is that sort of player and there is no way he's thought to kick anyone so we will be appealing that one.

"The linesman gave it for kicking. Where he has kicked him I do not know because there is no kick in the video I have seen. (Dulwich Hamlet's) Ashley Carew has grabbed Michael Kalu in a headlock and thrown him to the ground and only got a yellow. But these things are happening time and time again at all levels," sighed Quinton.

The Towners continue their play-off push at home to AFC Hornchurch on Saturday with the Urchins staving off the threat of a relegation for another week by grabbing an equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time against Billericay Town on Monday.

Struggling Witham Town come to the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on the final day of the season but Quinton believes playing struggling sides can work in Enfield's favour even though both have much to play for.

He explained: "Where Hornchurch are, with their budget and their players they should not be anywhere near there. But if you don't work hard you will find yourself fighting relegation.

"They are going to be scared to do make any wrong decisions and any mistakes will be punished. If they make one mistake their heads will droop and they will give in."

On Saturday Enfield beat Bognor Regis Town 2-0 at home thanks to a brace from Corey Whitely, the win briefly strengthening their grip on fifth position before slipping out the play-off picture 48 hours later.