BILLERICAY Town suffered their third defeat in a row after Horsham came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at New Lodge.

The hosts, who exited the Velocity Cup on Tuesday with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Chatham Town, looked to draw first blood.

With 17 minutes on the clock, a corner kick resulted in Matt Johnson knocking the ball down for Jay Porter who provided for Ollie Peters, striking straight into a Horsham player.

Despite their early dominance, Billericay didn’t have a proper grasp on proceedings but edged in front just before the half-hour mark.

Johnson placed a sublime cross into the path of Frankie Merrifield, who signed a new contract on Friday, and he was able to apply the deft touch required to head past Lewis Carey.

The Hornets’ response however was swift and they drew level as Charlie Hester-Cook saw the ball fall perfectly to him from Tommy Davis’ header and he swept home from close range.

Dominic di Paola’s side started the second half with more purpose and the travelling contingent were celebrating once again four minutes into the second half.

Shamir Fenelon came back to haunt his former side as he beat the offside trap before calmly slotting into the net.

Horsham weren’t content to sit on their one-goal lead though and nearly piled more misery on a disappointing afternoon for Billericay.

Goal-scorer Fenelon linked-up to good effect with Reece Myles-Meekums but Ryan Henshaw intervened with a crucial sliding tackle to prevent Myles-Meekums getting his shot away.

Gary McCann made two changes with 20 minutes remaining in the hope of getting back into this one.

This ambition was nearly achieved as substitute Ruben Soares-Junior provided for Merrifield with a perfect cross but he was unable to get on the end of it.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, McCann praised Horsham but admitted the two goals his side conceded were ‘poor.’

He said: "You can see why they are a good side, you can see why they are in form.

“They have got players all over the pitch that handle the ball well and you have to be patient.”

“It was a first half that we maybe just edged but we can’t concede the goal we have conceded four minutes into the second half and expect to win games of football.

“Both goals are disappointing and the second goal is a poor one defensively.

“We have got to regroup and halt the run of results we have had of late.”

Billericay remain in third place ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Concord Rangers.