Jersey Bulls title hopes hit by Redhill defeat

Jersey Bulls' only losses have come at home to Redhill and fellow title chasers Whyteleafe

Redhill knocked Jersey Bulls off the top of Combined Counties Premier South as the islanders lost 2-1 at home to their title rivals.

Having drawn 1-1 in Surrey last week the pair met at Springfield knowing a win for the islanders would put them three points clear with two games to play.

But two goals in as many second-half minutes saw the English side become just the second team to beat the islanders in the league this season.

Bulls had the better of the opening exchanges as Lorne Bickley had a penalty claim turned down before Adam McKay and Toby Ritzema headed wide from Miguel Carvalho crosses.

But the hosts went ahead in the 28th minute as Adam Trotter finished well after Joe Kilshaw had broken up the play.

Bulls could have gone into the break 2-0 up, but Bickley hit the bar shortly after the opener.

It was a miss they would regret as Redhill levelled when Timmy Obisanya poked the ball home from a goalmouth scramble following a floated 57th-minute free kick from the edge of the box.

And almost straight away Redhill were in front when substitute Elliott York blasted in from 12 yards after Euan van der Vliet had saved Nathan Hogan's shot.

James Queree had a header palmed wide while Kurtis Guthrie had a penalty appeal waved away inside the final 10 minutes as the island side pushed unsuccessfully for an equaliser.

"We pressed the self-destruct button for five minutes and it cost us three points which would have probably sealed it, so disappointed," Bulls manager Elliot Powell told BBC Radio Jersey.

The result leaves Redhill three points clear of Bulls with a game against mid-table Guildford City to play.

Jersey Bulls would likely still win the title should they win their final two games thanks to their goal difference, which is 18 better than Redhill's.

They travel to mid-table Abbey Rangers on Tuesday night before hosting relegation-threatened Sandhurst Town at Springfield next week.