We ended up losing 2-0 against East Grinstead Town on Tuesday night as our search for consistency continues, writes James Barrett-Sterling.
A goal in each half, from Charlie Postance and Ollie Gill, condemned us to a fourth defeat in five games, although we did dominate most of the game but failed to convert any of our chances.
Team news
Sean O'Toole was given his first start since last season, while Raheem Sterling-Parker, Ola Sogbanmu Tom Jelly and Bobby Price all returned to the starting line-up. Defender Michael Aziaya made his debut after signing on the morning of the game.
Kick-off
After a quiet opening period, O'Toole got the fit-again Sterling-Parker away on the quarter hour but Tommy Bradford's header on his cross was deflected off target.
Then, a minute later, Sterling-Parker held up a Jelley cross inside the Town box before teeing up Ricky Korboa but his angled shot flew just wide of the far post.
A corner kick on 23 minutes was met by the head of Mekhail McLaughlin at the near post but, again, a defensive shirt got in the way to block it.
We thought we'd broken the deadlock on 33 minutes as Korboa's purposeful run saw him dink a cross to Bradford from inside their area, but the linesman's flag ruled out our man's successful header.
And Town scored with their first real effort on our goal on 43 minutes - a big looping cross by Marcus Elliott was met by an unmarked Postance and his downward header left Billy Bishop rooted to the spot.
HALF-TIME: 1 - 0
Paris Hamilton-Downes had a great chance to level three minutes after the restart but he couldn't guide his free header on a Bradford free kick under the crossbar.
Bradford himself then put a sighter from 18 yards over and a home defender almost diverted a low Sterling-Parker cross past his own keeper as we kept pushing.
But Town still looked dangerous utilising the high ball and, on one such occasion, Bishop twice failed to grasp the ball under pressure but McLaughlin was on hand to block Elliott's shot away from an almost empty net.
Korboa flashed a low cross along their six yard box on 71 minutes but no-one in red was on hand to turn the ball home.
And Gill wrapped up the points for Town a few minutes later, twisting and turning down the middle before unleashing a 20 yard effort that dipped past Bishop.
Match highlights can be viewed here.
Photos from the game will be available soon.
Next up: We play host to Ashford United on Saturday 21st October and then Greenwich Borough arrive on Monday 23rd October.
Carshalton Athletic: Bishop; Jelley (Miller - 62), McLaughlin Aziaya, Hamilton-Downes (c); Korboa (Phillips - 89), Sogbanmu, Price, Bradford, O'Toole; Sterling-Parker
Unused subs: Cave, Cheadle, Healy
Booked: Sterling-Parker
East Grinstead Town: Smith, Mazzone (Agatise - 46), Hegarty, Meeres, C Wilson, Burrowes, Hoare (c), Gill, Postance (Hutchinson - 88), Elliott, Tan
Unused subs: M Wilson, Spence, Straker
Goals: Postance (43), Gill (78)
Booked: Mazzone
Our 'Man of the Match': Mekhail McLaughlin
Attendance: 66
Current league position: 9th (21 points)
