Chipstead fell to another defeat, as they lost 3-1 to a Balham side fighting for their lives at the foot of the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division South in their latest game at Tooting & Mitcham's ground on Saturday afternoon

In a competitive, yet goalless, first half, Chips went close as Micah Frazer's dangerous cross from the left was put behind for a corner, just as Enrique Tiamuna was ready to pounce - then Tiamuna fed Cameron Lewis-Brown, whose shot was pushed behind by the home keeper

Balham hit the inside of a post, but the ball stayed out & the rebound was cleared, while Lewis-Brown shot just wide at the other end, but the whistle had been blown for an infringement in the build-up

Frazer sent young defender Kamran Campbell on a run to the byline, but his low cross bounced kindly for the home side, & it remained scoreless at the break

Jake Hill had to make a vital clearance off the goalline from a free-kick soon after the restart, while Joe Hall's teasing cross was just beyond the front men

Reanu Grossett was one of the Chipstead subs on the hour mark, & he was soon in the action, being brought down in the box for a penalty, after a quick throw by Campbell - Grossett picked himself up, & dispatched the spot-kick to give Chips a 1-0 lead, but that was as good as it got

A Balham shot hit the crossbar & went over, but they equalised in the next attack, as their no. 10 shot home through a crowded area with keeper Klevis Muca unsighted

Grossett fired over from distance, as Chipstead sought the lead again, but their task got tougher, as Archie Alexander harshly received a straight red card for a tackle in midfield, leaving his teammates to play out the last few minutes with 10 men

Balham quickly seized the initiative, as a shot from a corner came back off the bar, but they reacted quickest to turn home the rebound to make it 2-1

Chips had to push forward, & Grossett had a drive deflected for a corner, from which Hall's header was just past a post, but Balham made it 3-1 in added time, as their centre-forward toe-poked the ball past Muca

Chipstead end the day 17th in the league table ahead of Tuesday night's home game with Camberley Town