Enfield Borough failed to build on their Division One Cup win from last week in the league as they were defeat 3-2 at home by Bedford.

The visitors took the lead three times in the game, with Blessing Tsibikubla’s first goal for the club providing the first equaliser and a powerful header from Gideon Sarpong levelling for a second time before Bedford’s winner.

Borough were forced into a number of changes from their cup win over Brimsdown, with Richard Ajayi, Jean-Paul Moke and Richard Ennin replacing Dervon Hurde, Jacob Adeyemi and Jamiah Lawrence-Plentie.

The hosts almost took the lead inside the first four seconds as Elliott Harris tried his luck from the halfway line straight from kick-off. The ball bounced back off the crossbar and was cleared by Bedford, who ran up the other end and netted the opener inside 17 seconds when Tyrelle McLeod-Bentley spotted Jamil Shallo off his line and chipped in from 40 yards.

The game calmed almost immediately after that fast start, and it took until midway through the half for Tsibikubla to net the equaliser when his shot evaded the grip of goalkeeper Luke Murray and trickled over the line.

Bedford went back in front 11 minutes after the restart when Frank Chandler’s long-range effort had enough swerve on it to deceive Shallo, but Borough were level again within minutes as Sarpong met Harris’ corner with a powerful header.

They weren’t able to hold on for the draw, however, as Bedford soon went ahead for a third time as Roberto Daltilia diverted a cut-back past Shallo to clinch all three points.

Defeat leaves Borough eighth in the Spartan South Midlands Division One table, but they now have a lengthy break from action with their next game coming on Tuesday, November 19 at home to Broxbourne Borough, kicking off at 7.45pm.