Caretaker boss Rob Scantlebury felt his Carshalton Athletic side put in a solid performance despite defeat in his second match in charge.

Merstham condemned the Robins to a 10th league defeat of the season, bagging two second half goals for a 2-0 win that leaves Scantlebury's men sitting just outside the relegation places in Ryman Division One South.

But Scantlebury believes it was a combination of being on the wrong end of two major decisions and a failure to take their own chances that contributed to their downfall.

"We more than matched a team from the top four of this division for long periods, so that is one positive I take," he said.

"We created two great chances in the first-half but didn't take them and that ultimately proved costly.

"But, in turn, I am also disappointed with a couple of important decisions that went against us too."

Merstham's Taurean Roberts scored the opening goal from what seemed like an offside position on 67 minutes while, with the score still only at 1-0, a Bobby Price cross on 83 minutes seemed to be handled by a defender in the area - but Carshalton's appeals over both were each dismissed.

Carshalton take on Three Bridges at Colston Avenue this weekend and the Robins will be looking to avenge last month's FA Trophy defeat against the same opponent.

"We are in good spirits despite last Saturday's result and I'll make sure to keep that confidence up," said Scantlebury.

"We'll prepare thoroughly and keep up the high commitment levels I've seen in training to date."

The interim boss will be sweating on the fitness of Adriano Moraes, Matt Males and Mickel Miller however as all three had to be replaced at Merstham due to sustaining injury.