Petersfield Town’s Southern Combination Football League Premier Division play-off hopes were dented with a 2-1 defeat at Peacehaven & Telscombe.

After an even start the hosts increasingly looked the more threatening and took an 11th-minute lead when Rams keeper Ellis Grant pulled off three good saves in succession before Mo Kahdum scored.

Peacehacen continued to have the upper hand, creating some good chances, while the Rams struggled to mount meaningful attacks.

It was only in the final ten minutes of the half that the Rams found some form and had a good opportunity to draw level in the 40th minute when Kian Towse bore down on goal, only to put his shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Petersfield’s Ashton Leigh conceded a penalty a minute into the second half, but Ruel Downey-Powell put his spot kick wide.

In the 70th minute the Rams were awarded a penalty after Callum Kimber was brought down in the box.

After a delay while a Peacehaven player received treatment, he took the penalty in the 73rd minute, and although Kimber’s effort was saved by Ryan Hammond he followed up to score from the rebound.

The Rams’ hopes of salvaging at least a point from the game were dashed in the 80th minute when a ball played in from the left was fired home from close range by Callum Esnouf.

The Rams pressed hard for an equaliser, with the best opportunity arriving in the 89th minute when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box, but Kimber's effort went wide.

The Rams remain in the play-offs despite the defeat, but the result saw Petersfield drop to fifth in the league table.

Petersfield will entertain Wick at Love Lane on Saturday (3pm kick-off) before hosting local rivals Midhurst & Easebourne on Easter Monday (11am kick-off).