Goals: Allen 78′ – Lewis-Brown 5′; Goode 24′.

Guernsey couldn’t muster the same highs of the last few weeks as Merstham took the spoils at Footes Lane on Wednesday night to ensure the Green Lions still have plenty of work to do to ensure their safety in Isthmian South Central.

Tony Vance’s side were flat in the first half and deservedly found themselves two behind. Ross Allen reached double figures for the season with just over 10 minutes left and almost nicked an equaliser in the final moments, but the Sarnians could have no real complaints about the scoreline.

It means GFC are now just five points above the relegation play-off places instead of nine, and midtable safety is just that little bit harder to reach.

The visitors started strongly and Cameron Lewis-Brown has already blazed an early effort wide before he bundled in Reece Deakin’s cross virtually on the goalline inside five minutes.

Bryan Zepo narrowly missed the target from the middle of the area as the Moatsiders looked to press home their early advantage, but Guernsey found a little compure to carve out a couple of chances.

Sam Murray couldn’t make contact at the far post to turn in a dangerous delivery from Joe Alvarez, while Matt Loaring carved out a chance for himself but saw it blocked.

Aaron Goode double Merstham’s lead on 24 minutes. Zepo earned a free-kick having been pulled back by Keanu Marsh 25 yards out, and Goode picked out the top left corner with a stunning effort that bounced down off the crossbar despite the best efforts of Josh Addison.

Fallaize had a couple of sniffs before the half was out, heading a corner wide and then just unable to get on the end of another wicked Alvarez delivery.

Vance responded with a half-time change, sending Tom Martin on in place of Keene Domaille, and saw an improvement in his side. Sam Murray was unable to stick out a toe to poke home as Allen flashed a ball across goal, then Allen cleared the bar as he met a low corner.

A quick free-kick from Merstham player-manager Peter Adeniyi set up Deakin from the angle. He dragged wide of the target but a ricochet almost took it in had it not been for a defender on the line.

Charlton Gauvain got a warm reception as he replaced Keanu Marsh midway through the half, making his comeback from ankle surgery from an injury suffered in pre-season. He showed glimpses of his old self as the Green Lions looked to get back in the game.

Deakin perhaps should have made the game completely safe with 20 minutes left, but his half-volley from around the penalty spot was straight at Addison, who then made a good reaction stop down to his left to deny the number nine again.

There were 12 minutes left on the clock when Allen brought the Green Lions back into the contest. He met Mahon’s low cross at the near post but could only muster an air shot the first time he swung his foot at the ball. Luckily for him, the ball rebounded to him of Merstham keeper Filip Chalupniczak and this time he made no mistake.

So often Guernsey’s hero, Allen nearly did it again with less than five minutes remaining. His free-kick look destined to find the corner but Chalupniczak flung himself to his left to push it behind.

Allen almost caught Chalupniczak out deep into stoppage time but the ball went over, but Merstham other took the sting out the game in the closing stages and clung on for three vital points in their survival bid.

The defeat makes Saturday’s game at Uxbridge that little bit more important.

The other Isthmian South Central midweek results were as follows: Hanworth Villa 3-1 Tooting & Mitcham United, Marlow 3-0 Westfield, Northwood 0-0 Binfield, Thatcham Town 2-3 Chipstead, Uxbridge 6-1 Ashford Town.

Merstham: 1 Filip Chalupniczak; 2 Aaron Goode; 3 Cameron Lewis-Brown (11 Adam Adam, 71’); 4 Luke Read; 6 Charlie Alexiou; 7 Peter Adeniyi; 9 Reece Deakin; 12 Ayman Gharbaoui; 16 Adam Allen; 18 Aziz Sankoh; 20 Bryan Zepo (19 Mario Quiassaca, 89’). Not used: 8 Pharrell Williams; 10 Lorenzo Lewis; 17 Jean-Pascale Masikini.