Old Loughtonians were unable to continue their fine form in the Conference East Division as they lost 4-3 against top-of-the-table Holcombe at Luxborough Lane on Saturday.

Loughts suffered a pre-match blow when captain Jonny Brown was ruled out through a late injury.

The early stages of the game saw both sides battle for control in the middle of the park but neither side created clear-cut chances.

Just as it looked like the deadlock would not be broken in the first period, Holcombe drove down the right-hand side and cut back for Gareth Andrew who finished confidently.

Holcombe quickly doubled their advantage with Andrew again the man to do the damage.

Loughts came out flying after the break and quickly hauled themselves back into the game.

Tom Sibley found himself in acres of space in the middle of the Holcombe D and smashed the ball through the legs of Allan Dick to close the gap to 2-1 in the 37th minute.

A minute later and the home side were level.

Striker Tom Watson turned his defender inside out before firing into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

The fightback was complete when James Jewell stepped up and powerfully flicked home from a short corner to put Loughts into a dramatic 3-2 lead.

Yet Gareth Carr soon turned around the result for Holcombe with two short corner conversions in the 48th and 64th minutes which sealed a thrilling win.

Loughts will hope to get back on track when they travel to Oxted on Saturday.