Battling Enfield Town fought back from an early two-goal deficit to take the lead but ultimately finished empty handed in an entertaining encounter with Staines Town at a freezing Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Saturday.

It looked like Andy Leese’s men would be in for a long afternoon when they found themselves 2-0 down inside 12 minutes against the play-off chasers, but the Towners were to be back on terms by the break through Jack Hockney and Tyler Campbell.

Although they missed a penalty, it got even better for the hosts within five minutes of the restart when Brad Wadkins put them in front, only for Staines to then come from behind and secure the 4-3 victory.

The visitors served notice of their intent five minutes into the contest when Mo Bettamer cut in from the right and his shot from outside the penalty area was turned behind by Joe Wright.

But Staines were to gain the early upper hand when Lewis Driver received the ball following some good midfield inter-play, avoided two challenges and fired into the top corner.

One goal was to very quickly become two as Enfield lost possession from the restart and Bettamer latched on to the ball, drove into the box and beat Wright.

Crucially, the hosts were to halve the deficit within six minutes following a throw-in and a ball into the box, with Wadkins knocking it down for Hockney to fire past Staines keeper Conor Hudnott.

The visitors continued to look the more threatening, with Bettamer seeing another effort deflected behind, but their opponents were to level just before the half-hour mark.

The Staines defence was caught out by Wadkins’ quick free-kick and Campbell fired past a surprised Hudnott.

Minutes later, the home side were given a great opportunity to take the lead when Ryan Blackman was fouled in the 18-yard box, but his penalty was too straight and Hudnott saved.

Despite that missed chance, Enfield did go in front soon after the break when some confusion between Ugo Udoji and Hudnott saw Wadkins force the keeper into a rushed clearance, the ball bounced off the Enfield striker and he was able to head into the empty net.

The visitors responded positively and after Sam Hatton had fired narrowly over from 25 yards and Wright did well to thwart Driver, the Staines man netted a 68th-minute equaliser following a cross from the right.

Having got back on terms, the Swans were to score what proved to be the winner eight minutes later through an Elliott Buchanan back-heel after a corner had caused chaos in the Town box, leaving the beaten hosts 14th in the Bostik Premier Division table.