Epsom & Ewell finally returned to action in the Combined Counties League last weekend, although boss Glyn Mandeville may be wishing they had not.

After almost month out, with only a 3-0 League Cup defeat to Ashford Town to show for their efforts, the Salts went down 2-1 at Windsor.

Savvas Panayiotou had given the Salts a first half lead before the hosts fought back after the break, and there was also more disappointment when Carl Downs limped off with a hamstring injury.

It was only the Salts’ second defeat in the chase for the Premier Division title, and it leaves them in third place, 10 points off Hartley Wintney at the top.

Mandeville’s men were due to face AFC Hayes on Tuesday night before the rain came, and they were also due to host Hartley on Saturday, but that has also been postponed due to the visitor’s involvement in the FA Vase.

The boss said: “The weather break has killed any momentum we had. Before Xmas we were flying in the league and looking forward to the League Cup game.

“Then we had a weather break meaning we did not play for two weeks before the cup game, where we just did not turn up and got beaten.

“We needed to keep the momentum going, but the break killed it. Now it will next Tuesday before we play again.”

The Salts’ chase for the title may be fading fast, but Mandeville is not giving up hope yet.

He said: “It looks like it is Hartley’s title, but we still have to play them at home, and we have to play Camberley Town [in second] twice.

“There is still plenty to play for, and Camberley are flying as well and they have to play Hartley.

“So if they can take another three points off them, and if we beat Hartley and Camberley, then you never know.”