A tightening of the financial belt has left Merstham releasing a couple of players.

Striker Craig Carley has returned to Met Police and midfielder Mu Maan has left, alongside Scott Todd who was only signed last week and played in the defeat to Walton & Hersham.

However, boss Graeme Banyard has found his target man – Gavin Gordon, returning from Worthing.

The Moatsiders also have a new coach, Barry Moore, who has been with Bromley and AFC Wimbledon, to replace James Deacon who has accepted a coaching post in the United States.

Banyard said: "We've cut down the money we're paying a bit because things haven't been going well on the pitch and the club hasn't been making as much money in the bar.

"I'm certainly not giving up on the play-offs, but now we have a mountain to climb.

"But the most important thing is to get that next win under our belts.

"We've got some good youngsters coming through and we'll get them involved and look to have a good finish to the season."

Banyard said those who had gone did so on good terms, adding: "I felt desperately sorry for Craig Carley because when we signed him it was the final piece of the jigsaw with Leon Simpson alongside him and Michael Gordon on one wing and JJ McGlashan on the other. They all left within a couple of weeks and we played him in positions he wasn't necessarily comfortable with."

Coupled with the good form of Leatherhead – who seem to have become the club's main rivals after Mick Sullivan left to manage them in the summer – recent defeats have been a double blow.

It leaves Banyard hoping to gain a positive result at Ramsgate on Saturday, then Whyteleafe next Tuesday.

"I'd like to finish in the top 10 and maybe put pressure on some of the teams above and you never know," he added.

As long as they finish above Leatherhead, who they face on March 2, the fans might just be satisfied.