Enfield Town manager Bradley Quinton criticised his players’ unacceptable approach and admitted the team let their fans down after the 3-2 defeat at struggling VCD Athletic on Saturday.

The Towners have enjoyed an impressive run of form in the last few months to climb up the Ryman Premier Division table but suffered a setback after their defeat.

Quinton said: “I expect a certain performance whether we win or lose. But individually and collectively that was not acceptable and we let the fans down in a big way.

“I was very disappointed with how we started the game. I think a few of the lads turned up expecting to win the game and approached the match in the wrong manner.”

The Towners boss continued: “I think you could definitely use the word complacency and their approach was not acceptable in my book.

“They know how I disappointed I was with the performance and some of them will find themselves out of the team. It’s time to freshen things up.”

Quinton did not see the performance coming after winning seven of their last nine league matches.

He said: “You can’t foresee that happening. It just makes you think where did that come from?

“It was just not good enough.”

Enfield had early opportunities to take the lead with Claudiu Vilcu denied by home goalkeeper Rob Budd before Bobby Devyne had a goal disallowed for offside.

VCD took advantage and scored the opener after 27 minutes when hesitation between Harold Joseph and Nathan McDonald enabled Donovan Simmonds to fire home.

It got even worse for the Towners five minutes before the break when the hosts made it 2-0.

A mistake by Nathan Livings enabled VCD to launch an attack and Ricky Sappleton rounded McDonald to double their advantage.

The visitors responded and pulled one back just before half-time from a Joseph header.

Quinton made his feelings known at the break and his players noticeably improved in the second half as they attempted to turn the contest around.

Devyne set up Harry Ottaway but his effort was blocked by Budd. Tyler Campbell also went close but his strike was pushed around the post.

Town’s pressure finally paid off with the equaliser in the 76th minute.

Ottaway headed on a high delivery into the area and Joseph forced the ball over the line.

The Towners continued to press for a winner and Livings went close when he fired wide of the target.

But the visitors’ positivity ultimately proved costly as VCD counter-attacked and Nigel Neita drilled a shot past McDonald for the winner.

Quinton, whose side visit Hampton & Richmond Borough in the Middlesex County Cup tomorrow, said: “We probably should have taken the point after getting back to 2-2 but with all due respect we should be winning games like this.”

The Towners host Kingstonian this weekend as they bid to get back on track.

He said: “I can assure the fans that the response will be a lot better than on Saturday.”