Petersfield Town’s play-off hopes suffered a setback as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Lingfield in the Southern Combination Football League Premier Division.

Despite Harrison Cable scoring for Petersfield it was a tricky Friday night for the Rams as they fell to defeat.

A lively start saw Kian Towse read a through ball, come in from the left and hit a low shot which rebounded off the inside of the post.

Petersfield fell behind after 11 minutes.

Trying to play out of pressure, Harrison Hide played the ball to Lingfield’s Gus Ward, who was alone in the box and had the simple task of placing his finish past Rams keeper Ellis Grant.

The visitors struggled to create clear-cut chances but Will Webb went close with a fizzing effort and on the half-hour mark Brandon Miller had a free header parried away from a corner.

Petersfield then suffered a setback when Miller was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Charlie Merritt.

In the 58th minute Grant made an excellent stop, getting low to a near-post shot, and it proved vital as Cable equalised two minutes later.

A swift break was led by Liam Kimber down the right. Kimber found Cable in the middle, who took a good first touch and found the bottom left-hand corner with his finish.

Lingfield regained the lead when Grant pushed a shot into the path of Ward. Ward fired an effort across goal and the ball fell to Jack McDonnell, who slammed home for the hosts.

Bob Tudway came on to try to turn the tide for the Rams, but it was Cable who made the final chance himself.

Cable got on the end of a powerful goal kick and closed in on goal, but his shot went narrowly wide.