FARNHAM TOWN slipped to a 3-2 defeat at Sheerwater in the Combined Counties Premier Division South on Saturday.

The visitors got off to a disastrous start.

An in-swinging Sheerwater corner evaded everyone and was completely misjudged by Town keeper Richard Ossai, as it drifted straight into the net.

To their credit, Farnham refused to let their heads drop, and were rewarded almost immediately when a neat move down the left saw Josh Ogunseye play a clever ball across to Max Meaton, who fired home first time to bring the scores level after seven minutes.

The visitors were now on top, and it was no surprise when, after 27 minutes, Ogunseye turned provider again, this time setting up Kye Nash whose neat turn in the area gave him time to pick his spot and score his debut first team goal to give Farnham a 2-1 lead.

At this point, the visitors were in complete control and, as the referee blew for half time, it seemed that there could only be one winner.

However, the visitors lost their shape in the second half, with the midfield retreating back into their own final third, leaving the forwards isolated and unable to hold the ball up for long enough to ease the pressure on the Farnham goal.

An equaliser was coming, but how it came was a head in hands moment for all concerned. A long throw evaded everyone until it fell to the unfortunate Ashley Lloyd, who turned it into his own net.

With half an hour to go the momentum was now with the home side.

The winning goal arrived in controversial circumstances in the 88th minute.

With Sheerwater seeking a winning goal, they fashioned a one-on-one chance that keeper Ossai did well to save and turn round the post.

However, the ball span back into play and the Sheerwater striker reacted first, turning it across the goal for his colleague to tap in.

The goal was allowed to stand by the match officials.

With Sheerwater now doing nothing other than defending their lead in injury time, Will May appeared to be brought down by a rash challenge by the Sheerwater goalkeeper.

However, the referee ruled that May had dived and booked him for simulation.

Farnham manager Colin Millard refused to put the blame purely on the performance of the match officials.

"Well, I think I said after last Tuesday’s win against Horley Town that we’ve been here before," he said.

"Again, the inconsistency strikes. I thought we were the better team in the first half and deservedly lead at half time. But, second half, we didn’t show up for 30 minutes or so.

"I don’t think that we deserved to lose, but that’s the fine margins we are currently falling the wrong side of.

"The manner of the goals that we are conceding is a concern. Some of it is park level.

"We’d probably have got away with it last season at the lower level, but not now, and the players have to accept that.

"Individually, some of their performances have been nowhere near good enough.

"I know there is a lot of talk of our injury list and how bad the officials were, but I can’t control any of that.

"Ultimately, had the team on the pitch produced a consistent performance, we’d be talking about a win.

"Because we’re not has nothing to do with injuries or the officials. It’s to do with ourselves and our inability to consistently perform at a level which earns us three points.

"We need to stop making excuses and look at ourselves."

Farnham will aim to bounce back when they travel to Knaphill in the Combined Counties Premier Division South on Saturday.

Town’s next home match is against Redhill at 3pm on Saturday, November 13.