Enfield Town's hopes of gaining a top five spot in the Ryman Premier League took another knock at the weekend after they lost 3-2 to Merstham at the QES stadium.

The Towners started the brighter of the two sides and Harold Joseph was off target early on in the game after Mark Kirby flicked the ball into the box with a header.

This occurred minutes before Merstham's Marc Okoye cleared a Samir Bihmoutine shot off the line.

But having scuppered their chances to score early, the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute when Karl Oliyide was brought down by the visitor's Kristian Campbell.

Billy Crook made no mistake as he tucked the ball away from the spot kick to the right of keeper Josh Smith.

However, their lead was short-lived. Dan Bennett equalised for the Moatsiders when he ran through the inside-right and put the ball into the back of the net three minutes later.

The second half started much like the first and within 10 minutes, Oliyide was thwarted by a tackle from Okoye before Merstham's Smith saved a shot from the former after he was played in by Crook.

From a Town perspective, disaster struck in the 56th minute when Dean McDonald found himself with a free header in the area and beat Nathan McDonald in the Town goal.

But the home side did not give in and found their equaliser when two defenders switched off and Oliyide applied the finishing touch to level.

Chances came from both sides but with only minutes to go, Enfield gave away a sloppy ball and McDonald scored his second of the game as he coolly slotted home the winner.

The Towners are set to take on Tonbridge Angels on tomorrow night (7.45pm kick-off) before facing Worthing on Saturday (3pm kick-off), both ties being played any from home.

Elsewhere at the club, Town manager Bradley Quinton was delighted to sign defender Blake Thomson.

The 23-year-old Australian had a spell at Birmingham City and signed for the Blues when he moved to England after playing with Brisbane Wolves.

Quinton said: I'm pleased to be able to bring Blake into the squad following all the necessary clearances.

"He can play at centre or left back, or as a central midfielder so is very versatile.

"And he is joining us at a crucial time as we look to push on in our remaining league fixtures."

Enfield Town starting XI: Nathan McDonald, Jon Muleba, Samir Bihmoutine, Harold Joseph, Mark Kirby, Percy Kiangebeni (Scott Shulton 65), Mickey Parcell (Tyler Campbell 72), Billy Crook (Blake Thompson 80), Karl Oliyide, Harry Ottaway, Bobby Devyne.

Unused subs: Ricky Gabriel, Nathan Livings. Booked: Kiangebeni.

Merstham starting XI: Josh Smith, Simon Cooper, Kristian Campbell, Kershaney Samuels, Marc-Anthony Okoye, Tutu Henriques, Dan Bennett (Xavier Vidal 86), Tom Kavanagh, Alex Addai (Reece Hall 86), Dean McDonald, Michael Abnett (Dan Hector 46).

Unused subs: Tom Howard, Rae Bailey-Allen. Booked: Addai, Smith, Cooper, Samuels.