Enfield Borough conceded two goals late in the game to slip to a 3-2 defeat at home to Bedford in their first match of 2019 on Saturday.

Sam MacRae stabbed home from a free-kick in the 88th minute and then Martin Holland’s diving header in the fifth minute of injury time completed the turnaround for the visitors in the South Midlands League Division One clash.

After a positive start, Shaun Reece’s side took the lead when a corner was cleared to Jamiah Lawrence-Plentie, who lofted the ball back into the danger area. Bedford’s Michael Fisher headed the ball out of his own keeper’s hands and Thomas Opoku was on hand to slot through the crowd and into the net.

Guy Kiangebeni and Frank Chandler were called into action numerous times to prevent Bedford attacks and, when they did go forward, Enfield’s frustration led them to take long-distance efforts that were no problem for Jordan Hudson in the visiting goal.

With Bedford on top before the break, it was no surprise they started the second half well too, and they equalised within five minutes of the restart. Sam Smith’s curling effort from the right struck the foot of the post but Holland was on hand to tap in the rebound.

With less than 20 minutes remaining, substitute Sivi Bao played in Richard Ennin, who was bundled over inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot and Bao calmly converted to restore the lead.

It looked as though Borough were going to hold on but they were pegged back again when Curtis Jackson’s block looped onto the bar and McRae was on hand to poke in.

It got worse late on, however, as Holland flung himself towards Mason Smith’s cross and diverted his header in off the post deep into injury time to move Bedford into 10th in the table, just one point behind Borough.